Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of long-term environment damage done to moorland, peat and boggy areas by the infrastructure required for the installation of wind turbines. [104955]

Charles Hendry MP; Minister of State for Energy: Assessment of the potential long-term impact on sites of ecological and geological importance such moorland, peat and boggy areas of infrastructure for the installation of wind turbines is carried out as part of the planning and consenting process.

For development requiring an environmental impact assessment, such as commercial scale wind farms, applicants are required to set out any impacts on designated sites of ecological and geological conservation importance, and where necessary, steps to mitigate impacts, as part of the planning/consent application. Such environmental impact assessments are informed by consultation with, and assessed by, statutory consultees, for example Natural England and the Environment Agency.