To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the status is of the licence application under the Food and Environmental Protection Act 1985 for Scarweather Sands wind farm; whether there will be further negotiations and consultations before a decision is made; and when he expects a decision to be reached. (106490)

Scarweather Sands wind farm will require a licence from the Welsh Assembly Government under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985. DEFRA’s Marine Consents and Environment Unit (MCEU) is administering the application on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Earlier this year, the developer met with the MCEU, the Countryside Council for Wales and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science. My officials are currently awaiting additional supporting data from the developer in regards to harbour porpoises. This is expected early in the new year.

This additional supporting data will be assessed in the same way as all other offshore wind farm applications. A decision can only be reached once all the outstanding issues have been resolved to an extent which will allow the National Assembly for Wales to make a decision on the licence application.