Solar Power: Planning Permission
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether planning provisions allow local authorities to consider existing solar energy generation installations as a material consideration in planning decisions.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook
By law, planning applications must be determined in accordance with the development plan for the area, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
Local planning authorities may take into account the potential impact of development proposals on existing solar energy installations as a material consideration, as well as the cumulative impact of proposals, where this relates to relevant planning matters. The weight to be given to such matters is a matter for the decision maker, based on the specific circumstances of the case and the evidence available.
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included policies relating to renewable energy generation. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
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