Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will ensure that, with the exception of national infrastructure projects, all proposed renewable energy schemes are determined at a local level.

For any onshore renewable energy scheme that is not a nationally significant infrastructure project, or is not an energy project directed into the Planning Act 2008 regime by the Secretary of State, planning permission is sought under relevant town and country legislation.

In England this is through the local authority led planning system, except in specific circumstances when the Secretary of State decides whether to grant planning permission for a scheme, for example where an application is called in. Town and country planning in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a devolved matter.