Written questions

Solar Power: Environmental Impact Assessment

Commons · Question 104947 · Tabled 12 Jan 2026 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government · Official record

Answered 20 Jan 2026

Question

Asked by Patrick Spencer

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to require Environmental Impact Assessments to be carried out for all rural solar farm developments with a generating capacity below 50 megawatts.

Answer

Answered by Matthew Pennycook, 20 Jan 2026

Projects with a generating capacity of 100MW and less are considered under the provision of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017, an Environmental Impact Assessment ...