Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 37
37
Accepted
Paragraph: 132
Review planning regulations for electricity infrastructure, aligning provisions and mandating new-build solar
Recommendation
The Government should further review the application of planning regulations to electricity infrastructure so as to bring the relevant provisions of the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime and the National Planning Policy Framework into full alignment. We recommend that the review address the impact of the planning consenting system on the timely deployment of renewable energy generation and energy infrastructure, including the particular conditions which currently apply to applications for onshore wind development. It should further support measures prioritising rooftop solar installations, and mandate the delivery of appropriate solar generation capacity in all suitable new-build properties, both domestic and commercial, subject to suitable connections being available.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and will accelerate infrastructure delivery via the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. They are consulting on measures in the NPPF for onshore wind and solar and revising NSIP thresholds, and future standards next year will set new buildings on a path away from fossil fuels to incorporate solar.
Paragraph Reference:
132
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Government agrees with the importance of supporting the delivery of new renewables infrastructure. Therefore, through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the Government will accelerate infrastructure delivery by streamlining the delivery process for critical infrastructure including accelerating upgrades to the electricity grid and boosting renewable energy, which will benefit local communities, unlock delivery of our 2030 clean power mission and net zero obligations, and secure domestic energy security. The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that local planning authorities should have a positive strategy in place to promote energy from renewable and low carbon sources. As part of plans to triple solar power and reintroduce onshore wind, we are consulting on extra measures in the National Planning Policy Framework that highlight the importance of renewable energy generation to our clean energy ambitions. We have also consulted on revising planning policy to increase the threshold for larger solar projects in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects Regime. Government has recently confirmed that new homes and buildings will, where appropriate, play an important role in the drive for solar, delivering cleaner energy and lower bills to millions of households and businesses. Future standards next year will set our new homes and buildings on a path that moves away from relying on volatile fossil fuels and ensures they are fit for a net zero future. Government has also consulted on extra measures in the National Planning Policy Framework, which governs the planning applications of smaller projects, which highlight the importance of solar power to our clean energy ambitions.