§ Mr. RentonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to the environmental impact of wind-farms on beautiful landscapes; and if he will withdraw the subsidy for the generation of electricity by wind turbines situated on high ground.
§ Mr. YeoThe Government's policy is to encourage the development of renewable energy wherever it has the prospect of being economically attractive and environmentally acceptable. Planning policy guidance note 22 sets out the Government's planning policies on renewable energy in more detail and advises that local planning authorities must always weigh the desirability of exploiting a clean, renewable energy resource against the visual impact which wind turbines may have on the landscape. We believe it is better to leave it to the local planning authority to determine the suitability of different sites for wind turbines rather than to build site-related provision into the non-fossil fuel obligation arrangement.