§ Lord Tebbitasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the statement by the Lord Whitty on 23 June (HL Deb, col. 1238) that "In certain circumstances, wind farms actually enhance the landscape", whether they will set out the circumstances in which such enhancement occurs. [HL3624]
§ Lord WhittyIncreased development of renewable energy resources is vital to facilitating the delivery of the Government's commitments on both climate change and renewable energy.
We recognise that the location of wind farms can sometimes be a sensitive issue. Our landscapes have always been influenced by ever-changing human activity. Buildings and other structures—including, for example, traditional windmills and monuments—have often been seen as enhancing the landscape and providing a point of interest. In some settings wind farms will be seen by many as aesthetically pleasing; in other less so.
That is why the Government have ensured that there is clear guidance for planning authorities to follow. Planning Policy Guidance Note 22: Renewable Energy makes clear that local planning authorities should always assess and judge the merits of a planning application on a site-specific basis, including consideration of impacts on the landscape. The 20WA consultation paper for the forthcoming PPS22 reinforced these elements.
In the future, offshore wind will be an increasingly significant element in the energy supply mix and will help address concerns about the impact of wind farms on the landscape.