asked Her Majesty's Government:

How the Department of Energy and Climate Change will ensure that decisions on the siting of energy plant, infrastructure and distribution systems accord priority to social, conservation, heritage and landscape considerations. [HL5725]

It is for developers to identify locations for infrastructure and for the appropriateness of those locations to be scrutinised as part of planning processes. In determining such applications, the full range of potential impacts of the projects in question can be taken into account, together with advice and views from local planning authorities, statutory advisers and others so that a view can be taken as to whether it is acceptable.