Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what research he has commissioned on the effect of windfarm construction in water catchment areas.

The Department has not commissioned any specific research on the effect of wind farm construction in water catchment areas or on peat bog soils.

Applicants for consent for wind farms with an installed capacity of 50MW or more must provide an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Such applications are considered by the Secretary of State for Energy under the Planning Act 2008.

Applicants for consent for wind farms with an installed capacity of less than 50MW may be required to produce an EIA at the request of the relevant local authority