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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to simplify the planning process for renewables.

Our National Planning Policy Framework is clear that when determining planning applications for renewable and low carbon development, local planning authorities should approve the application if its impacts are (or can be made) acceptable.

In addition, powers in our Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will enable us to create a more consistent, streamlined and digitally enabled approach to planning applications. When utilised with existing powers, this will enable us to create an end-to-end system which is faster and more accessible to communities.