Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consultation and information gathering on food security and rural employment they undertook prior to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero’s decision to approve large new solar farms on agricultural land.

The Planning Act requires applicants to carry out consultations of their proposals at the pre-application stage of the process. During the application stage the Examining Authority will also undertake consultation with Interested Parties and advisory organisations such as the Statutory Nature Bodies.

As the decision takers, Ministers consider all the evidence and views on both positive and negative impacts and weighs these up with reference to the relevant National Policy Statement. This consideration is detailed in the published Decision Letter and accompanying assessments for each case. This statutory process is followed for all significant energy infrastructure, including large solar farms.