I appreciate your concerns about the protection of literary landscapes in planning regulations. 

I strongly believe we need to build a lot more renewable energy over the coming years to meet our net zero target by 2030. Labour has been leading these calls for action,  through our Green Prosperity Plan which I have been working with Ed Miliband on to invest in gigafactories, alternative fuels like hydrogen, solar and onshore and offshore wind. We believe investment in the green industries of the future is necessary for both our environment and our economy. https://labour.org.uk/stronger-together/a-fairer-greener-future/green-and-digital-future/

I support plans to deliver a fossil fuel-free electricity system by 2030, including by quadrupling offshore wind, more than tripling solar power and more than doubling our onshore wind capacity, as well as establishing a publicly owned clean energy company to make Britain an energy independent superpower. This would save UK households hundreds of pounds per household every year until 2030. 

Fuel poverty is a stain on our country in the 21st century and Ministers need to do more to tackle it. I assure you that I will continue to scrutinise their policies in this area and press for them to be strengthened.

However I share your view that these developments  need to be built in the right place using appropriate land. It is vital that any negative effects should be minimised by using sensitive planning that focuses on previously developed and non-agricultural land that is not of high environmental value.

I understand that Wychavon District Council and Redditch Borough Council have yet to make a decision on the planning application for a solar farm and battery energy storage scheme facility at Roundhill Wood. I await the outcome of their decision with interest.

More widely, I believe we need a strategic approach to building renewable energy, so we know exactly what we need and where it needs to go. I worry that the current planning system is not playing its full part in addressing the climate and environment emergency, or in ensuring the historic environment is given the consideration it deserves. There are gaps and weaknesses in the preservation of World Heritage Sites as well as many archaeological sites and buried historic environments.

As you may know, the Government ran a public consultation from December to March on its proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). It did not suggest any changes specifically on the protection of literary landscapes. Ministers’ response to the consultation and a revised NPPF is expected to be published soon, while a fuller review of the NPPF is set to take place later this year. I will follow developments closely.

In contrast the Labour Party is developing our own national approach to planning and development and I will ensure that your comments are fed in to that.