Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Phillips Excerpts

Monday 20th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Williams]

Plenty of things have changed since 2010, but this Government are still giving huge priority to bringing homes up to a decent standard. In the next spending review, we are allocating money for that purpose until 2017. By that stage, 99% of houses owned by housing associations, and almost as many local authority houses, will be up to the decent homes standard.

[Stephen Phillips (Sleaford and North Hykeham) (Con)]

2. What representations he has received on the cumulative visual impact of proposed wind turbines in Lincolnshire.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Kris Hopkins)]

We have received a number of representations about matters relating to wind turbine proposals in Lincolnshire, including their visual impact. We are very clear about the need for councils to consider cumulative impacts, and our new planning guidance underlines the fact that they require particular attention.

[Stephen Phillips]

In Lincolnshire there has been a large number of planning applications for wind turbines, many of which are in close proximity to one another. When I and other Lincolnshire Members meet local residents, they often tell us of their concern that planning authorities do not take into account the accumulation of turbines when deciding individual applications, so what further steps is the Department taking to enable local authorities to look at the bigger picture?

[Kris Hopkins]

This Government have been robust in laying out guidelines relating to landscape, heritage and local amenities, and in ensuring that the Secretary of State can recover those applications to ensure the guidelines have been adhered to. I reassure my hon. and learned Friend that since the proposals were brought in, the proportion of successful applications has dropped from 52% to 36%.