Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 35839 on Infrastructure: Land, what is the maximum permissible quantity of best and most versatile land allowed for an energy development classed as a nationally significant infrastructure project.

National Policy Statement EN-1 and EN-3 set out the policy for the consideration of the use of best and most versatile land for energy development, but state that “applicants should, where possible, utilise previously developed land, brownfield land, contaminated land and industrial land. Where the proposed use of any agricultural land has been shown to be necessary, poorer quality land should be preferred to higher quality land (avoiding the use of “Best and Most Versatile” agricultural land where possible). The decision as to whether the amount of best and most versatile land to be used is appropriate is one for the Secretary of State in the consideration of individual planning applications."