Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Jones and Lord Barker of Battle

Thursday 27th February 2014 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con)]

Many communities in my constituency will be interested in the community energy initiative. How can they find out more in order to promote their local generating ideas?

[Gregory Barker]

Our Community Energy online guide is a great starter tool, opening up the world of exciting community energy projects which are increasing daily under this coalition Government.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Jones and Lord Barker of Battle

Thursday 17th October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con)]

T4. I welcome the emphasis on microgeneration, including ground-source and air-source heat pumps, plus deploying solar PV on rooftops and brownfield sites where appropriate, and I recognise its potential, but what is being done to stop deployment of the unwanted large-scale ground-mounted PV farms?

[The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Gregory Barker)]

My hon. Friend makes a good point. We have an ambitious plan for solar, focused on rooftops, on-site generation and brownfield sites. That is why this summer we toughened up the planning guidance, distributed it to local authorities, and made it absolutely clear that the need for renewable energy does not automatically override environmental protections and the planning concerns of local communities. I want to see our guidance in force, and I will be writing to local planning bosses to make sure that they take it on board.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Jones and Lord Barker of Battle

Thursday 14th March 2013 Commons Chamber

[Gregory Barker]

Most certainly; I know that my hon. Friend is a powerful champion of wave power. I am delighted with the progress of the marine energy park in the south-west. I was there last week for the RenewableUK conference to witness the signing of a memorandum between the south-west marine energy park and the Pentland Firth and Orkney waters marine energy park. I would be delighted to work with my hon. Friend to see what more we can do to drive the exciting progress in this sector.

[Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con)]

T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.