Archived decisions

CONSULTATION ON DRAFT NEW PLANNING POLICY STATEMENT 22: RENEWABLE ENERGY

The County Council has had the opportunity to respond to a consultation paper on a draft of a new Planning Policy Statement (PPS22) on Renewable Energy, which was published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (OPDM) on 5 November 2003.

The new PPS22 provides broad policy objectives to help deliver renewable energy development and these objectives are to be welcomed. The main difference between this document and the Planning Policy Guidance Note 22 (PPG22) that it is intended eventually to replace, is that it follows the substantial promotion of renewable energy set out in Government guidance over the last few years.

There is a drive to address climate change issues and cut emissions of all greenhouse gases as part of the Kyoto protocol. Hence the document sets out the international target to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by 2050 and national targets to achieve 10% electricity generation from renewable energy sources by 2010, moving towards 20% by 2020.

The document is based on an expectation of renewable energy developments across the country in a wide range of locations and should make the achievement of planning consents for such developments smoother for all parties involved. It also details the need to balance any harm caused by such developments against the wider environmental benefits and need to achieve the targets set for electricity generation from renewable resources.

The decision taken on 13 January in pursuance of Aim 2 of the Corporate Strategy (Stewardship of the environment) informed the ODPM that the County Council welcomes and supports the broad intentions of the new PPS22 and supports the inclusion of energy from waste and landfill sewage gas within its definition of sources of renewable energy. The response advised that the County Council considers PPS22 should promote the use of landscape character assessment for assessing appropriate locations for renewable energy developments and believes that it should include appropriate cross references to other planning policy statements and planning policy guidance.

The County Council is actively promoting renewable energy in the county, undertaking assessments of the resources available including hydro power and onshore wind, and is a lead partner in the Natural Light Project which is addressing the issues of community involvement in and support for renewable energy.

KEITH B. ESTLIN,

Executive Member

For Environment.