HC Deb 29 April 2003 vol 404 cc368-9W
Mr. Lidington

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he plans to amend planning policy guidance so that the five kilometre distance recommended between offshore wind turbines and people's homes is applied to onshore turbines also. [109827]

Mr. McNulty

The annex on Wind Energy in Policy Planning Guidance Note 22 (PPG22) already contains guidelines about various factors which should be taken into consideration in relation to wind turbine location, including suggestions about turbine separation distances from residential dwellings, specifically in relation to noise. However, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends to consult on a revision to the planningguidance later this year.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the method used by his Department to assess the likely noise impact on local residents of a planned onshore wind turbine. [109835]

Mr. McNulty

Paragraphs 39–47 within the annex on Wind Energy in Policy Planning Guidance Note 22 contain guidelines about noise levels in relation to wind turbines. The guidelines include a table comparing the noise in decibels generated by a windfarm at 350 metres to that generated by other everyday activities.