§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to continue granting permissions for the establishment of wind farms; and if he will make a statement. [28615]
§ Mr. Win GriffithsResponsibility for determining planning applications for wind farms rests initially with local planning authorities. The Secretary of State is responsible for determining appeals and applications which have been called in. Decisions on all such applications should be made in accordance with Government Policy set out in Planning Guidance (Wales): Planning Policy, Technical Advice Note (Wales) 8: Renewable Energy, and policies in development plans, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.