§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether Planning Policy Statement 22 was subject to rural proofing by her Department. [188461]
§ Alun MichaelThe question appears to be based on a misapprehension about rural proofing. It is the responsibility of each Government department to rural proof its policies, and this principle is included in current guidance on regulatory impact assessment. Defra officials are able to provide rural evidence and guidance in support of this while I meet Ministers regularly to help the process along.
Defra officials made a substantial contribution to the consultation on Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy and its accompanying Good Practice Guide. By working closely with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, we have ensured that PPS22 gives appropriate guidance on considerations of landscape and biodiversity alongside strong support for the development of renewable energy resources.