Gareth Davies, Member of Parliament for Grantham and Bourne, said:
“This week, Labour made clear its intentions to shift the balance of power in the planning system away from local communities in relation to energy infrastructure.
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, made clear in her speech: “decisions on large developments will be taken nationally not locally”.
While Labour may now change the rules so that Whitehall can impose its preferences over those of local residents, and even those of their representatives in Parliament, I will always stand up for our rural communities to ensure your voices are heard, and keep pushing for a more balanced approach.
Although it is important that we expand our domestic supply of renewable energy, and our area is already playing a significant part in this, it is vital that local people are properly consulted, and that their concerns are carefully considered and responded to, in order for new development to command consent.
During the recent election campaign many residents highlighted the Lincolnshire Reservoir proposals, and the consultation for this particular project is still open, so I would urge all local residents to contribute to ensure their voice is heard: https://www.lincsreservoir.co.uk/consultation/have-your-say/overview/
In–person consultation events for the reservoir are being held, including in Great Hale Village Hall on Friday 12th July. There will also be a Community Webinar on Wednesday 17th July, with more information available on www.lincsreservoir.co.uk
I know there are some concerns about Heckington Fen Solar Park, where the consultation closed before boundary changes brought this project into the Grantham and Bourne constituency. I understand that the final decision now rests with Labour’s Secretary of State, and I will be following the progress of this proposal closely.
In the last Parliament, I worked together with Lincolnshire colleagues to secure written commitments from the Conservative Secretary of State regarding energy infrastructure projects in rural areas. These included avoidance of geographical clustering, naming Lincolnshire specifically as an area of concern; protection of ‘Best and Most Versatile’ agricultural land; and prioritisation of rooftop solar where possible.
These are the key principles which will guide my response to large developments as your MP: local consultation, proportionality, agricultural sensitivity, and preference for less intrusive alternatives.
This is not about opposition for opposition’s sake, but fulfilling a democratic duty – doing my part to encourage development in the right places, in the right way. So that at the end of the process we have better infrastructure with greater local consent.
Our part of Lincolnshire is one of great natural beauty, and unique rural character. This is a special inheritance which, once spoiled, cannot easily be restored. Local voices should not be ignored, and what has been cultivated and conserved throughout centuries must not be surrendered to disproportionate development.
If you have strong views on nationally-determined local proposals, please do contribute to this process by taking part in public consultations, and by writing to me to help inform my representations on your behalf.”
