Debates between Ed Miliband and Matt Western during the 2024 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Ed Miliband and Matt Western
Tuesday 8th October 2024

(2 months, 2 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Ed Miliband Portrait Ed Miliband
- View Speech - Hansard - -

The hon. Gentleman will understand that I have to be careful in what I say about planning issues, but he should rest assured that I have frequent conversations with my counterpart in the Scottish Government and, no doubt, that is one issue we will be discussing.

Matt Western Portrait Matt Western (Warwick and Leamington) (Lab)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

Warwick and Leamington must be one of the sunniest places in the United Kingdom given the flurry of applications we have had for solar farms. There is a “loss of amenity” caused by one application, but if that community were prepared to welcome onshore wind turbines, of which we have none in Warwickshire, rather than a solar farm, would the Secretary of State or the Minister agree to support that? Will they meet me to discuss the issue?

Ed Miliband Portrait Ed Miliband
- View Speech - Hansard - -

Every planning application and development consent order is assessed on its merits. Importantly, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Streatham and Croydon North (Steve Reed), is polishing a land use framework, which has long been needed in this country. It will set out the balance between food security, the use of renewable energy, the restoration of nature and the role of farming. I hope that will help with some of the issues that hon. Members are facing.