Local Power Plan

Debate between Ed Miliband and Ben Obese-Jecty

Tuesday 10th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Ed Miliband]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. As a super nerd, I am very interested in that kind of impact analysis. Sometimes Governments do things but do not track their impact, so they cannot prove the difference that a scheme has made. His point is very important, as is the one about Swaffham hospital. The work that GB Energy is already doing on schools and hospitals is making a difference to public services up and down the country.

[Ben Obese-Jecty (Huntingdon) (Con)]

The Secretary of State talked about British people having a stake in our energy system, and generating returns for local communities and people. He then went on to say that he was on the side of local communities. I appreciate that he was talking about auction round 7, not nationally significant infrastructure projects, but in my constituency, we have the East Park Energy solar farm proposal. At 1,900 acres, it would have a huge impact on local communities. Residents of Great Staughton and Hail Weston in my constituency are massively opposed to the development. What would he say to my constituents, who feel that he is not on the side of local communities, given that the decision on this project falls squarely to the Secretary of State?

[Ed Miliband]

I will not go into the details of a planning decision, but areas that host energy infrastructure should see community benefits. What I say to his constituents and others is that there should always be community benefits, but if we want to bring down bills, and if we want energy security, we must build the energy infrastructure that we need. Solar is a really important part of that, because it is the cheapest, cleanest form of power. I am sure that some of his constituents will not like the proposal, but sometimes we have to stand up and say, “We think this is the right thing to do for cheap, clean power.”

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Ed Miliband and Ben Obese-Jecty

Tuesday 18th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Ed Miliband]

My hon. Friend raises an important matter. As an energy nerd, I am really interested in this 2015 power, which, despite my nerdery, I did not actually know about. We are actively looking at this really important power, which was put in place by the previous Government.

[Ben Obese-Jecty (Huntingdon) (Con)]

In response to a written question to me last week, the Minister confirmed that no nationally significant infrastructure projects have been consented to that will use greater than 50% best and most versatile agricultural land. In my constituency, the East Park Energy solar farm is close to 75%, but the overarching national policy statement for energy states at paragraph 5.11.34:

“The Secretary of State should ensure that applicants do not site their scheme on the best and most versatile agricultural land without justification.”

Can the Minister confirm whether nearly 1,500 acres of best and most versatile land is too much good-quality agricultural land to sacrifice?

[Ed Miliband]

The hon. Gentleman will know that any nationally significant project goes through a proper planning process, and it would not be right for me to comment on that. None the less, I am sure that the decision makers will be looking closely at the issues that he has raised.