UK - Climate change at heart of planning system

The BWEA is pleased to see the publication of this new measure to enable the planning system to take a more active role in tackling climate change. The draft Planning & Climate Change supplement to PPS1 takes a significant step in placing climate change at the heart of the planning system and will help ensure delivery of the renewable energy capacity so urgently needed.

Welcoming the new draft planning policy statement (PPS), Chris Tomlinson, BWEA’s Director of Operations, said:

“This important document has been keenly awaited and it is now imperative that its message is quickly communicated to planning authorities, and climate change is truly placed at the heart of the planning system. Urgent action and decisions to reflect the scale and urgency of the climate change challenge are needed now, and the planning system has the potential to deliver a range of vital measures, including renewable energy projects. Wind energy has an essential role in meeting the UK’s renewable energy requirements; it is clean, green and capable of delivering on a large scale right now. We must make the most of the opportunities that onshore wind offers across the UK and positively encourage projects through the planning process without delay.”

BWEA fully endorses the requirement for planning authorities and industry to work together and stands ready to offer assistance to all stakeholders. The recognition that it is not necessary for developers to demonstrate the need for renewable energy projects or choice of site is a long overdue measure. Equally BWEA welcomes the proposal that planning policies must require a significant proportion of energy supply in new developments to come from onsite renewables, although BWEA believes that this should also apply to refurbishment of existing buildings.

The PPS1 supplement’s positive encouragement is a welcome step in helping projects move through the system and comes at a critical time for the UK wind industry. Wind power is widely expected to contribute at least half of the UK’s 2010 renewable energy target for 10% of all electricity supply to come from renewables. BWEA’s research has shown that onshore wind projects representing potentially 5% of UK electricity supply are held up in the planning system. However for projects to contribute to the 2010 target, consents must be awarded by the end of 2007 in order for the industry to build by 2010.

Tomlinson highlighted:

“2007 is the critical year for renewables in the UK – if the onshore wind capacity so urgently needed is not consented within the year then the UK’s 2010 renewable energy target is unlikely to be met. This climate change PPS1 supplement is a material planning consideration and we would urge planning authorities to implement its recommendations as soon as possible and make decisions in reasonable timescales.”

Notes:

·The Consultation on Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change - Supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1 can be found online at http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1505140