Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew George Excerpts

Thursday 8th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davey]

I know that environmental impact assessments have to be done and I believe that those sorts of assurances have to be given.

[Andrew George (St Ives) (LD)]

May I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing his new position? He said that wind is the most efficient form of renewable energy, but what will the Government do to ensure that communities benefit from new wind energy projects?

[Mr Davey]

First, we need to make sure that communities are listened to during the planning process, and the planning reforms will do that. We are committed to ensuring that local communities capture the full economic benefit from hosting renewable energy projects, particularly the retention of all the business rates that these installations pay.