asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their assessment of the importance of environmentally sensitive policies in the future of energy production and the development of the necessary infrastructure, including that for energy distribution, in particular within national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and similar areas. [HL4065]

Integrating environmental, social and economic objectives is central to this Government's plans for the production and distribution of energy to meet our national needs. Proposed reforms to the planning regime for major infrastructure projects, set out in our White Paper Planning for a Sustainable Future, include making it mandatory to consult statutory bodies such as national park authorities when making decisions that affect them.