Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of the planning system on on-farm renewable energy projects.

National planning policy is clear that local authorities should have a positive strategy in place to promote energy from renewable and low carbon sources such as solar plants.

The Government also recognises the need to preserve our most productive farmland. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is clear that planning decisions should 'contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment' by recognising the 'benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land'. Where significant development of agricultural land is shown to be necessary, the Framework sets out that areas of poorer quality land should be used in preference to those of a higher quality.

The Government recently consulted on proposed changes to the NPPF, which includes a change relating to food security, building on what is already in the NPPF on preserving most productive farmland. Ministers and officials are currently analysing the responses received before issuing a formal response.