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| UK government 'keeps control of Welsh energy decisions' | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The UK government has denied there is ongoing discussion on devolving power on big energy schemes to its Welsh counterpart. | |
| It came after Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones said UK Energy Minister Charles Hendry confirmed he would consider calls for greater powers. | |
| But a spokesman for Mr Hendry said it was discussed last year, and further devolution of power had been ruled out. | |
| Mr Jones had raised the issue at the British-Irish Council summit. | |
| The latest twist came after the Welsh Government said its UK counterpart had agreed to consider a request to transfer the power to decide major energy projects to Wales. | |
| Mr Jones said it was unacceptable that planning decisions on wind farms in Wales were being taken in London. | |
| But a spokesman for Mr Hendry said there had been a referendum on further powers for the assembly in March, and there were "no current proposals to make further changes to the Welsh devolution settlement". | |
| He added: "The policy on devolving energy powers to the assembly remains the same as it did under the previous Westminster government. Charles Hendry explained he had set out the position in November and it remained the same today." | |
| The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change said it had had constructive discussions previously with Welsh ministers. | |
| But UK ministers had decided "that they should continue to be responsible for major energy infrastructure decisions in England and Wales" via a streamlined process "that minimises delays and ensures investor confidence is best delivered through a unified planning system". | |
| Last week the Welsh Government announced plans to limit the number of wind farm developments, in the seven so-called Tan 8 areas. | |
| It followed a big campaign in mid Wales against National Grid plans for a 19-acre substation and miles of pylons to serve new wind farm developments and any more turbines to add to the 200 already operating in Powys. | |
| In May 1,500 people protested at the Senedd in Cardiff. | In May 1,500 people protested at the Senedd in Cardiff. |
| The final decision on whether to approve the pylons and substation, and on any wind farm capable of producing over 50 megawatt of energy, lies with Westminster. | |
| Mr Jones told the BBC's Politics Show on Sunday: "The UK government could turn around and say we are going to ignore Welsh planning policy and we will impose English planning policy on Wales and they could do it without reference to us. | Mr Jones told the BBC's Politics Show on Sunday: "The UK government could turn around and say we are going to ignore Welsh planning policy and we will impose English planning policy on Wales and they could do it without reference to us. |
| "My view is we should have these powers in Wales in the same way they do in Scotland and Northern Ireland. | "My view is we should have these powers in Wales in the same way they do in Scotland and Northern Ireland. |
| "It's important if we are going to get blamed for something that we actually have responsibility for it as well." | "It's important if we are going to get blamed for something that we actually have responsibility for it as well." |
| But Mr Davies, the MP for Montgomeryshire, who has campaigned against further wind farms in mid-Wales, told BBC Wales the Welsh Government's view would be listened to. | |
| "In Westminster they can approve an individual project but what the minister will say and the planning process allows for is that the policy of the assembly is a material consideration in dealing with any wind farm." | "In Westminster they can approve an individual project but what the minister will say and the planning process allows for is that the policy of the assembly is a material consideration in dealing with any wind farm." |
| There had had already been a referendum on further law making powers in Wales in March, and he said it was confusing to look at another area already. | There had had already been a referendum on further law making powers in Wales in March, and he said it was confusing to look at another area already. |
| "There will be further discussion in the future about the position of devolution," he added. | "There will be further discussion in the future about the position of devolution," he added. |
| Albert Owen, the Labour MP for Ynys Mon, a member of the energy and climate change select committee, said Mr Jones was right to raise the issue as clarity was needed. | Albert Owen, the Labour MP for Ynys Mon, a member of the energy and climate change select committee, said Mr Jones was right to raise the issue as clarity was needed. |
| He said: "It's not just about rushing things through, it's about a stronger community engagement. | He said: "It's not just about rushing things through, it's about a stronger community engagement. |
| "We do have to look at the best way to limit the impact on the environment and that has to occur at every level, whether it's local, national or international. | "We do have to look at the best way to limit the impact on the environment and that has to occur at every level, whether it's local, national or international. |