Planning Reforms: Net-zero Carbon Emissions

Lord Grantchester Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd December 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

I thank the noble Baroness for the great contribution she has made in this area. We do need to learn lessons from what has happened in the past. The consultation sought views on revisions to the NPPF to increase support for renewable energy schemes, tackle climate change and safeguard environmental resources. Of course, ensuring that transition to clean power will help boost our energy independence, which is vital, reduce energy bills, support the high-skilled jobs and SME innovation we all want to see, and tackle the climate crisis. So, yes, we do take this very seriously. Those things will not be watered down. We are currently working on solar for the Future Homes Standard and we will be making more announcements shortly.

[Lord Grantchester (Lab)]

My Lords, one of the urgent challenges to deliver net-zero carbon emissions is to facilitate the delivery of onshore wind and solar, persistently denied by the previous Conservative Governments. Delivery of solar via grid connections to rural areas necessitates these reforms to speed up developments. The extension of regional mayors could be vital in this respect, as in the creation of a mayor for Warrington in Cheshire. Is my noble friend the Minister’s department working closely with DESNZ and Defra to enable these reforms to go ahead?

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

My noble friend is quite right about onshore wind and solar, and that is why the Chancellor announced in July the immediate removal of the inexplicable ban on onshore wind in England. The planning restrictions in place in England since 2015 could have led to a single objection to an onshore wind turbine preventing it being built. As I said, we are considering further the issues of solar, particularly the importance of connections to rural areas. His point about mayors is well made. We will be making a Statement about the English Devolution White Paper in the next few days. That will give powers to mayors to do the right thing and to drive this clean energy agenda forward in a way that is right for their area.