Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what her policy is on siting solar farms in open countryside.

We have been clear in previous statements to Parliament that our strong preference is for deployment of solar PV to take place on buildings and on previously used land, over high grade agricultural land.

For example, on 22^nd June 2015 (Official Report, Column 624), my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State said:

“We are trying to support solar so that we have as much as possible through community energy, on people’s houses and on other buildings. There is a great opportunity there”. [1]

The National Planning Policy Framework and the Planning Practice Guidance for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy ensures that decisions on siting of ground mounted takes into account the views and needs of the local community.

[1] http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm150622/debtext/150622-0001.htm