To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to outline the timescales for achieving future milestones relating to the Review of Strategic Planning Policy on Renewable and Low Carbon Energy.

The review of regional strategic planning policy for renewable and low carbon energy is ongoing. My Department distributed an ‘Issues Paper’ to targeted stakeholders in December 2021 for a period of 8 weeks consultation, which ended in February 2022 with over 40 responses received. In addition, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Scoping Report was also issued to the statutory consultation bodies in June of this year, for the statutory 5 week period.

The planning policy review is being progressed in accordance with established policy making best practice, in an iterative way alongside the draft Environmental Report being prepared by the SEA consultants. In doing so, account is being taken of the Executive’s Energy Strategy, the previous planning policy call for evidence, the independent consultant’s report that my Department commissioned, responses to the ‘Issues Paper’ and wider research.

A draft revised policy document and draft Environmental Report are intended to issue for full public consultation later this year with all responses received being considered and the final policy published as soon as practicable next year, subject to Executive Committee agreement.