Written question asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 21 July 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 July 1998. It was answered by Nick Raynsford (Labour) on Thursday, 30 July 1998 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will assess the advantages and disadvantages of amending PPG 22 to introduce a minimum required distance between windfarms and bridleways and other public rights of way. - Includes ref to Planning Policy Guidance note 7, 'The Countryside - Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development'.

Answer: Mr. Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the advantages and disadvantages of amending PPG 22 to introduce a minimum required distance between wind farms and bridleways and other public rights of way. [52098] Mr. Raynsford: Planning Policy Guidance notes are not intended to be prescriptive. We have no evidence that the existing guidance is not robust enough in this area. Planning Policy Guidance note 7, `The Countryside-- Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development', already alerts local planning authorities to take into account the impact of proposed developments on public rights of way when deciding planning applications. Experience indicates that properly designed and maintained wind turbines are a safe technology.

Secondary information