Lords Committee considers the role of energy, transport and infrastructure in a land use strategy for England

The sessions will start from 3.30pm and will be available to watch live or on demand at Parliament TV or in person in Committee Room 2, Palace of Westminster.

Giving evidence will be:

3.30pm

• Dr James Richardson, Chief Economist, National Infrastructure Commission; and
• Jane Healey Brown, Town Planning Skills Leader for the UK, India Middle East and Africa, Arup.

4.30pm

• Adam Berman, Deputy Director, Policy, Energy UK; and
• Professor Rob Gross, Director, UK Energy Research Centre.

Questions will include:

• What is your assessment of the future infrastructure and development needs in the UK? What are the likely implications on land use?
• What impact do you expect climate change and the Government’s net zero target will have on our future energy and infrastructure needs? How does the Government’s recent energy security strategy fit into this picture?
• What are the challenges and opportunities for delivering biodiversity net gain and wider environmental net gain for big infrastructure and development projects? What changes, if any, could help ensure that we get better outcomes for nature? For ARUP: In designing your projects how do you deal with any land losses (from food production or habitats) arising from the project?
• What is your assessment of future energy needs in the UK? How might these needs be met and what are the likely implications for land use in England?
• In the context of land use, what are the challenges and opportunities for delivering a mandatory biodiversity net gain and wider environmental net gain for energy projects?
• In your view, how can the planning system best support our energy needs whilst also ensuring delivery on biodiversity net gain and wider environmental net gains? What changes, if any, could help ensure that we get better outcomes for nature?