The MP was speaking after a visit to the proposed wind-farm at Woodmancott Down where he met campaigners from the SOS Hampshire Downs group.
Back in June of this year, Ministers issued revised guidance setting out the balance expected by the new National Planning Policy Framework on onshore wind to ensure that protecting the local environment is properly considered alongside the broader issues of protecting the global environment.
That was followed by new measures - announced by Liberal Democrat Ed Davey, Secretary Of State For Energy And Climate Change this Summer - which mean communities will have greater say over proposed onshore wind development in their area, and can gain increased benefits from hosting developments that do proceed.
This month, his colleague, Conservative Communities Secretary Eric Pickles further strengthened the guidance given to planners, making it clear the need for renewable energy does not automatically override environmental protections and the views of local communities should be listened to.
Steve Brine says; "We want to ensure the planning concerns raised by local communities, including those in Woodmancott and Bullington Cross, are given proper weight in planning decisions for onshore wind applications. That means issuing clear guidance to planners but it also means raising the bar on what people can expect in terms of community benefits if they accept these often giant turbines. It cannot be all about what multi-national, in many cases foreign, companies and those lobbying on their behalf stand to gain from coming here.
"Many of my constituents have genuine concerns that when it comes to developments such as wind turbines and solar farms, insufficient weight is being given to local environmental considerations like landscape, heritage and the impact on the South Downs National Park for-instance. I hope this new guidance, taken together, will clarify matters."
Pictured; Steve Brine with Myles Bray and Jonathan Moseley of SOS Hampshire Down
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