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Energy: Land Use

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 9 April 2025UIN 43313

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the oral contribution of the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in the Second Reading of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on 24 March 2025, Official Report, column 659, how protecting high-quality agricultural land will impact the use of best and most versatile land in energy infrastructure projects.

Answered by Michael Shanks

The National Planning Policy Framework and National Policy Statements were updated in 2024 and make clear that energy infrastructure should always be located in areas of poorer quality land rather that higher quality land where possible. A Strategic Spatial Energy Plan is also being developed to ensure new energy infrastructure projects are located in the most appropriate areas across the UK.

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