§ Miss McIntosh:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact on wildlife of wind turbines. [142042]
§ Mr. Timms:I have been asked to reply.
Studies of the impact of wind farms on wildlife, in particular birds, suggests that there is only a small risk of bird strikes from the operation of properly sited wind turbines. In addition, under the normal planning regime and for consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 regime or the Transport and Works Act 1992, wind farm developers are required to consider all environmental aspects of wind energy projects and produce an Environmental Impact Assessment. These assessments are available to the public.