Planning Control Debate

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Wednesday 12th January 2011

(13 years, 6 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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My hon. Friend’s contribution mirrors my own questions for the Minister.

Wind farms are, of course, an essential part of our strategy to achieve energy security. I entirely accept that, as do many of my colleagues here today.

Jason McCartney Portrait Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con)
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I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this excellent debate, which is very timely, ahead of the Second Reading of the Localism Bill next week. I also thank the Minister for coming along.

My hon. Friend has already hit on the housing targets. Kirklees council in my patch is looking to impose 28,000 homes on an area that just does not have the infrastructure, so the debate is very timely indeed.

We are now talking about wind farms—we spoke about them earlier today. There really is a vacuum in planning strategy for wind farms. People in my community, in Birds Edge, Holmfirth and Scapegoat Hill, are opposing wind farms that are totally unsuitable, and unscrupulous people who do not fit into the local community are coming in just to make money. I am really looking forward to the inclusion of this matter in the Localism Bill.

Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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The Minister will see that many colleagues are very concerned about the issue, and I am sure that he intends to address it.