Return <strong>to</strong> c<strong>on</strong>tentsMaintaining c<strong>on</strong>fidence inthe planning system55. The c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong> of all renewables <strong>to</strong> UK electricity generati<strong>on</strong> was 6.8per cent in 2010. 3 In order <strong>to</strong> meet our nati<strong>on</strong>al carb<strong>on</strong> reducti<strong>on</strong> andrenewable energy targets we need str<strong>on</strong>g energy efficiency and demandreducti<strong>on</strong> policies, as well as a significant increase in renewable energyover the coming decade. As <strong>on</strong>e of the cheapest and most establishedrenewable energy technologies currently, <strong>on</strong>shore wind plays animportant role in this regard. The UK’s industry-led Renewable EnergyRoadmap 4 sets out a pathway <strong>to</strong>wards achieving this ambiti<strong>on</strong> but s<strong>to</strong>psshort of addressing specifically how many <strong>on</strong>shore wind turbines will bebuilt and where.Graph 1 – progress of renewable technologies, including wind,through the planning system300Number of applicati<strong>on</strong>s submitted250200150100500198919901991199219931994199519961997Applicati<strong>on</strong> submittedApplicati<strong>on</strong> approvedApplicati<strong>on</strong> refusedYear of applicati<strong>on</strong> submissi<strong>on</strong>19981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011Original source: Department of Energy and Climate Change planning statistics 126. As local communities feel the pressure from the increasing number of<strong>on</strong>shore wind applicati<strong>on</strong>s (see graph 1), there is widespread c<strong>on</strong>cernthat many proposals are highly speculative and directed <strong>to</strong>wardsinappropriate locati<strong>on</strong>s. Maps 1 and 2 show that <strong>on</strong>shore wind sitesare increasingly being directed <strong>to</strong>wards more remote, tranquil areas,sometimes adjacent <strong>to</strong> and inside nati<strong>on</strong>al planning designati<strong>on</strong>s.Developers are also targeting undesignated but locally valuedcountryside in less windy parts of the country. Research suggeststhat wind energy developers often enter the planning process with adismissive mindset <strong>to</strong>wards public c<strong>on</strong>cerns, seeking <strong>to</strong> disparagearguments against new development as baseless and emoti<strong>on</strong>al ratherthan well-reas<strong>on</strong>ed and legitimate. 5 CPRE has compiled a large bodyof evidence that suggests a cavalier approach by some wind energydevelopers <strong>to</strong> the planning system 6 which undermines the integrity ofthe planning process. While this has started <strong>to</strong> be addressed by theindustry 7 there is a l<strong>on</strong>g way <strong>to</strong> go before it shows due respect <strong>to</strong> theviews of local communities. The lack of c<strong>on</strong>cern shown by developersdrives local oppositi<strong>on</strong> and is reflected in the low level of applicati<strong>on</strong>s,currently <strong>on</strong>ly 41% of projects, being c<strong>on</strong>sented and the relativelyhigh level of <strong>on</strong>shore wind applicati<strong>on</strong>s going <strong>to</strong> appeal. 83DECC, Digest of United Kingdom EnergyStatistics, TSO, 20114DECC, UK Renewable Energy Roadmap, 20115University of Manchester et al, Bey<strong>on</strong>dNimbyism project summary report, 2009.Accessed from www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/research/bey<strong>on</strong>d_nimbyism/deliverables/reports_Project_summary_Final.pdf6CPRE, Goodwill payments: Do they benefitcommunities or bring planning in<strong>to</strong>disrepute?, 20087RenewableUK, A Community Commitment:The Benefits of Onshore Wind, 20118RenewableUK, State of the IndustryReport. Onshore and Offshore Wind:A Progress Update, 201112DECC planning database<str<strong>on</strong>g>Generating</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>light</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>landscape</strong> <strong>impacts</strong>: How <strong>to</strong> accommodate <strong>on</strong>shore wind while protecting the countryside
Return <strong>to</strong> c<strong>on</strong>tentsMap 16Onshore wind sitesOperati<strong>on</strong>al – 114Under c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong> – 12C<strong>on</strong>sented – 96In planning – 82Nati<strong>on</strong>al planning designati<strong>on</strong>sSite of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)Nati<strong>on</strong>al parkArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)Green beltCrown copyright. All rights reserved. The Countryside Agency 2006.Licence 100018881. Green Belt data supplied by LandmarkInformati<strong>on</strong> Group © Copyright Landmark 2012. Original sourceof the <strong>on</strong>shore wind farm data is from RenewableUK.KilometresO 30 60 90 120 150<str<strong>on</strong>g>Generating</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>light</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>landscape</strong> <strong>impacts</strong>: How <strong>to</strong> accommodate <strong>on</strong>shore wind while protecting the countryside
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