HL Deb 12 June 2000 vol 613 cc184-5WA
Lord Hardy of Wath

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What studies have been carried out or are proceeding in regard to the social and economic consequences of the development of wind power; and what advice they have given to planning authorities in respect of such developments. [HL2642]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The Department of Trade and Industry's R&D programme for new and renewable energy includes studies on a range of nontechnical issues on renewable energy generally and wind energy in particular. Details of wind energy and planning studies are contained in DTI's reportDTI New & Renewable Energy Programme Annual Plans 1999/2000 and the associated annual report for 1998/99. Copies of these publications are available in the Library of the House.

In order to promote a strategic approach to planning for renewable energy from the regional level downwards, the Government Offices for the Regions are commissioning work to prepare regional assessments and targets for renewable energy, including wind power where appropriate, and updating as necessary existing DTI funded planning resource studies. In England, Planning Policy Guidance Note 22: Renewable Energy has been the main source of advice provided to planning authorities and a final version of the revised Planning Policy Guidance Note 11: Regional Planning, is to be published shortly. This will include a section on renewable energy.

DTI's New & Renewable Energy R&D Programme provides information of use to planning authorities when considering local development plans. Moreover, a range of information specifically on wind power such as studies on noise from wind farms, the cumulative effects of wind turbines in one area and a number of other studies on the environmental impact of wind farms— visual, ecological, electro-magnetic and colour— are available to local authorities to help inform their planning decisions.

On the economic aspects of renewable energy generally, this industry currently comprises 700 organisations and is estimated to employ 3,500 people directly.