Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Recommendation 29
29
Accepted
Consider National Policy Statements guidance to positively encourage biodiversity-benefitting solar farm practices.
Recommendation
The Government should consider how guidance in the National Policy Statements could respond to such findings by positively encouraging such practices. (Recommendation, Paragraph 78)
Government Response Summary
The government states that existing National Policy Statements (NPSs), particularly EN-1 and EN-3, already encourage sustainable development, biodiversity net gain, and explicitly recognise solar farms' potential to enhance biodiversity.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The NPSs encourage sustainable development, the restoration of nature, nature inclusive design and early engagement between developers and Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies. These principles are woven throughout the NPSs (for example in EN-1 at sections 2, 4 and 5). Section 4.6 of EN-1 is dedicated to Environmental and Biodiversity Net Gain, and makes clear that energy NSIP proposals should seek opportunities to contribute to and enhance the natural environment by providing net gains for biodiversity and the wider environment where possible. Applicants are guided to read technology specific NPSs in conjunction with the overarching energy NPS EN-1, and guidance specific to solar farms is included in EN-3. Section 2.10 of EN-3 recognises the potential of solar farms to produce wider environmental gains and increase the biodiversity value of a site. The NPS states that applicants should consider any reasonable opportunities to maximise restoration, creation, and enhancement of wider biodiversity. It signposts applicants to considerations and opportunities identified through Local Nature Recovery Strategies, and national goals and targets set through the Environment Act 2021 and the Environmental Improvement Plan. Applicants are further guided to consider as part of the design, layout, construction, and future maintenance plans how to protect and retain, wherever possible, the growth of vegetation on site boundaries, as well as the growth of existing hedges, established vegetation, including mature trees within boundaries.