Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of large solar farms on the habitats of rare species.

Planning applications for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects include a statutory requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment to be carried out and for the competent authority (decision-maker) to undertake a Habitats Regulations Assessment, which is published alongside the Decision Letter.

These assessments consider both the adverse and beneficial effects on designated habitats and rare species. Consultation is undertaken with the relevant Statutory Nature Conservation Body such as Natural England and will include mitigation and compensation advice when necessary. Recent examples of environmental and habitats assessments for large solar farms demonstrate that there is often the opportunity to secure net gains for biodiversity.