To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what information his Department makes available to local communities whose areas are the subject of onshore wind farm applications; what formal guidance his Department provides to local authorities considering each application; and if he will make a statement. (262142)

The Government have a comprehensive framework of national planning policy and guidance on renewable energy. This is in addition to the body of guidance for local planning authorities on handling planning applications and engagement with local communities affected by planning applications. Communities and Local Government’s Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change (PPS1) and Renewable Energy (PPS22) set out the considerations that will be relevant to planning applications for wind farms. There is also detailed guidance for practitioners in the companion guides supporting both PPSs.

The Department also makes available guidance on community involvement in wind energy development which can be downloaded at

http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/policy/renewables-advisory-board/community-involvment-wind/guidance-local-authority-officers/page35088.html.

In addition, the guidance on applications for large-scale energy developments (over 50MW) under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 makes clear the need to ensure that local communities are consulted at an early stage. This can be downloaded at

http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file42017.pdf.