HL Deb 28 January 2002 vol 631 cc15-7WA
Lord Carlile of Berriew

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations were received by the Minister for Energy from the National Assembly for Wales before granting his consent for the erection of the Cefn Croes wind power station in mid Wales; and whether he will place them in the Library of the House. [HL2336]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The views of the National Assembly for Wales were sought and a copy of its formal response has been deposited in the Library of the House.

Lord Carlile of Berriew

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On what statutory basis the Minister for Energy was permitted to grant consent for the Cefn Croes wind power station in mid Wales. [HL2337]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The Minister of State for Industry and Energy indicated on 10 December 2001 that the Secretary of State had approved the Cefn Croes windfarm in principle under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. Under Section 36 the Secretary of State is responsible for authorising any power station in England and Wales which has a capacity of more than 50 megawatts.

Lord Carlile of Berriew

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish the assessment of environmental impact including visual pollution considered by the Minister for Energy before granting consent for the Cefn Croes wind power station in mid Wales. [HL2338]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

An environmental impact assessment was made public by the developer at the time the application was submitted. Views on the acceptability of that environmental impact were expressed and those differing views were considered by the Minister for Energy and the Secretary of State before announcing approval in principle for the Cefn Croes windfarm.

Lord Carlile of Berriew

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make it their policy to devolve to the National Assembly for Wales the process whereby all decisions are reached upon proposals for the erection of wind power stations in mid Wales. [2339]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

Both before and following privatisation, England and Wales have been regarded and treated as forming one electricity network and one electricity market. Inherent in that is recognition of the integrated nature of the electricity supply system. As a result, decisions on power stations over 50 megawatts in England and Wales are handled by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. In reaching her decision on an application in Wales she will consider carefully the views of the National Assembly for Wales and any other representations from Wales.

Lord Carlile of Berriew

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will have a policy for the protection of the Welsh landscape in light of the increasing number of proposals for the erection of wind power stations in Wales. [HL2340]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The basis for the Government's policy is the planning guidance for which the National Assembly for Wales is responsible. In addition, the Government take into account the formal views that are received from the National Assembly for Wales on particular matters.