Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Julian Sturdy and Lord Barker of Battle(11 years, 1 month ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con)
In welcoming the new solar road map, in which the Minister sets out guiding principles for the appropriate siting of solar PV, may I ask what added protection from solar farms the road map gives to green-belt land?
Gregory Barker
The road map sets out our industrial strategy. The right place to protect important areas such as the green belt, areas of outstanding natural beauty and grade 1 agricultural land, about which we care passionately, must be the planning process. In particular, we must ensure that local people have a proper say. That is why I am reminding local planning authorities that they have a duty to enforce that.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Julian Sturdy and Lord Barker of Battle
Gregory Barker
The hon. Gentleman will know that we are still finalising the details of the ECO, but I should be happy to meet him to reassure him that the scheme really will benefit the whole country.
Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con)
T6. As high energy bills continue to affect local households in my constituency, can the Minister outline what the Government are doing to improve the UK’s long-term energy security problems? If energy security is not addressed—I stress that it is a long-term issue—energy bills will continue to soar.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Julian Sturdy and Lord Barker of Battle
Gregory Barker
It is a DEFRA issue, and obviously we will be asking our DEFRA colleagues how they think we, when representing the United Kingdom at Cancun, can best present the wider green agenda. However, I will talk to my colleagues in DEFRA, and if the hon. Lady wishes to make particular representations to me, I shall be glad to receive them.
Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con)
T10. Does the Minister believe that sourcing energy from waste is sustainable in the long term?
Gregory Barker
Absolutely. Recovering energy from waste can play a very important part in tackling climate change, improving energy security and creating green jobs. However, given the waste hierarchy, before we use waste for energy we must reduce it, and recover it in ways that have less damaging environmental impacts.