To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 09 May 2024
Business of the House

Speech Link

View all Ian Liddell-Grainger (Con - Bridgwater and West Somerset) contributions to the debate on: Business of the House
Written Question
Farms: Solar Power
Thursday 9th May 2024

Asked by: Ian Liddell-Grainger (Conservative - Bridgwater and West Somerset)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what criteria his Department use to assess whether to build solar farms on productive farmland.

Answered by Robbie Moore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Planning decisions on solar development are granted by local planning authorities, or, where applications are for developments over 50MW, with the Secretary of State for Energy.

The National Planning Policy Framework sets out clearly that local planning authorities should consider all the benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land, when making plans or taking decisions on new development proposals. Where significant development of agricultural land is shown to be necessary, planning authorities should seek to use poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher quality.

The recently published and updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, and the wider benefits from natural capital and ecosystem services – including the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land, and of trees and woodland. Where significant development on agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality. The availability of agricultural land used for food production should be considered, alongside the other policies in the Framework, when deciding what sites are most appropriate for development.

Division Vote (Commons)
8 May 2024 - Finance (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Ian Liddell-Grainger (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 266 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 212 Noes - 274
Division Vote (Commons)
8 May 2024 - Finance (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Ian Liddell-Grainger (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 272 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 211 Noes - 276
Division Vote (Commons)
8 May 2024 - Finance (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Ian Liddell-Grainger (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 260 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 198 Noes - 269
Division Vote (Commons)
8 May 2024 - Finance (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Ian Liddell-Grainger (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 260 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 195 Noes - 266
Division Vote (Commons)
30 Apr 2024 - Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill - View Vote Context
Ian Liddell-Grainger (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 263 Conservative Aye votes vs 1 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 273 Noes - 163
Division Vote (Commons)
30 Apr 2024 - Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill - View Vote Context
Ian Liddell-Grainger (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 264 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 272 Noes - 162
Division Vote (Commons)
30 Apr 2024 - Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill - View Vote Context
Ian Liddell-Grainger (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 267 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 274 Noes - 162
Division Vote (Commons)
30 Apr 2024 - Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill - View Vote Context
Ian Liddell-Grainger (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 266 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 276 Noes - 161