Energy: Wind Turbines

House of Lords written question – answered at on 13 March 2006.

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Photo of Baroness Miller of Hendon Baroness Miller of Hendon Shadow Minister, Trade & Industry

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether their decision to refuse consent for the erection of 27 wind turbines at Whinash, Cumbria, reflects a change in their general policy; and, if so, whether they will indicate the nature of that change.

Photo of Lord Sainsbury of Turville Lord Sainsbury of Turville Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Trade and Industry) (Science and Innovation)

There is no change in government policy. We remain firmly committed to renewable energy.

The decision to refuse planning consent for the erection of 27 wind turbines at Whinash is entirely consistent with the Government's Planning Policy Statement 22 (PPS22). Set among the key principles of PPS22 is the need to take account of environmental impacts in terms of landscape and visual effects, which will vary on a case-by-case basis according to the type of development, its location and landscape setting.

In the case of Whinash, my right honourable friend the Minister for Energy agreed with the inquiry inspector that the impacts on the landscape and recreational use of the site outweighed the benefits.

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