Planning for Renewable Energy in Worcestershire Research Paper

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3.1 An Energy White Paper, 'Meetingthe Energy Challenge' was published inMay 2007, following the draft ClimateChange Bill of March 2007. Thesedocuments build upon the previous WhitePaper, confirming objectives of securing a60% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050;having 10% of UK electricity supplied byrenewable sources by 2010; and having20% of UK electricity supplied byrenewable sources by 2020. The draftClimate Change Bill seeks to make the60% CO2 reduction target legally binding,alongside a 26% to 32% target reductionby 2020.3.2 Planning Policy Statement 22(PPS 22): Renewable Energy - and itsaccompanying Companion Guide - formsthe principal source of guidance forplanners in developing policies forrenewable energy. The PPS, published in2004, signalled a significant shift inGovernment policy towards greaterpromotion of renewable energy projects. Itmakes clear that where viable (in terms ofenvironmental, social and economicimpacts) renewable technologies can beaccommodated throughout England. Arealistic approach is also encouraged,whereby the viability of schemes must beconsidered, and undue burdens must notbe placed on developers.563. Policy ContextNationalExtract from paragraph 5.3.64, Energy White Paper(2007)Planning Policy Statement: Planning and ClimateChange, Supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1,DCLG (December 2007)3.3 The local planning process willcontinue to play a central role in ensuringthat renewable technologies are givendue consideration. The 2007 EnergyWhite Paper states that, in spite of theincreased support for renewables andmore positive national policy, planningremains "…one of the most significantbarriers to the deployment ofrenewables." 5 A more robust local policyframework could allow for greaterprogress, by specifying firm requirementsfor decentralised supplies and clearcriteria for large schemes that may comeforward.3.4 The wider climate change agendahas included the publication of a PPS1Annex on Climate Change 6 , whichrecognises the role of renewable energyin mitigating and adapting to the effectsthat climate change is having on ourenvironment. The importance ofaddressing climate change is made clearon page 1 of the PPS by stating that it isthe policy in PPS1 that will takeprecedence over other policy whereconflicts may arise.3.5 Of particular significance at thelocal level is the requirement for localplanning authorities to "set out a targetpercentage of the energy to be used innew development to come fromdecentralised and renewable or lowcarbonenergy sources" (Section 26(i)).Crucially, LPA's must " ensure there is aclear rationale for the target and it isproperly tested".3. POLICY CONTEXT ● Planning for Renewable Energy in WorcestershireTechnical Research Paper 5
3. POLICY CONTEXT ● Planning for Renewable Energy in Worcestershire3.6 Delivering a percentage target forenergy generation in new development isan established and successful means ofsecuring reductions in carbon emissions.Many local authorities throughout thecountry have already adopted such arequirement, following the pioneeringplanning policy of the London Borough ofMerton, which became known as the'Merton Rule' 7 . It has now beenestablished at a national level that thoseauthorities without these requirementsneed to ensure that their LDFs makeprovision for such a policy:"Planning authorities should[inter alia]:- expect a proportion of theenergy supply of newdevelopment to be securedfrom decentralised or lowcarbonenergy sources".Extract from paragraph 20, PPS13.7 Merton have estimated the cost ofcomplying with the policy to be around3-4% of the overall build cost. Homeswith renewable energy technologies areable to offer an added attraction tohouse-buyers compared with other homeson the open market, and may be able tocommand premium prices.3.8 Requiring on-site renewablesensures that energy efficiency ismaximised, as it is usually cheaper toinstall energy efficiency measures thanrenewable technologies. By requiring acertain percentage of a building's carbonemissions to be met by renewables, it islogical that developers will seek tominimise these emissions from the outset.This should mean that energy efficiency isgiven greater consideration, as the targetemissions reduction will decrease in linewith the efficiency of the building.3.9 The technical appraisal of on-siterenewables schemes can be complex.Development of a toolkit that can be usedby both developers and Local AuthorityDevelopment Control officers can helpmake this process easier to understandby providing a systematic, step-by-stepguide. Such a toolkit has already beenproduced for London authorities andoffers a comprehensive guide to theprocess (see Further Reading, pages75 - 77).7"All new non residential developments above athreshold of 1,000sqm will be expected to incorporaterenewable energy production equipment to provide atleast 10% of predicted energy requirements" (PolicyPE.13, London Borough of Merton UnitaryDevelopment Plan, adopted October 2003). The rulehas since been adopted and modified by other localplanning authorities and usually incorporates bothresidential and non-residential developments.6Technical Research Paper
Page 2 and 3: TECHNICAL RESEARCH PAPERPlanning fo
Page 4 and 5: Executive SummaryGenerating energy
Page 6 and 7: SOCIAL BENEFITS OF RENEWABLEENERGY
Page 8 and 9: 1. Purpose1.1 This working paper is
Page 10 and 11: significant positive impact. Conser
Page 14 and 15: Regional3.10 The West Midlands Regi
Page 16 and 17: 4. Community Strategies, Climate Ch
Page 18 and 19: As mentioned elsewhere in this pape
Page 20 and 21: 5. Worcestershire’s Vulnerability
Page 22 and 23: 6. Renewable Energy and the Environ
Page 24 and 25: 6.10 Green belt designation covers
Page 26 and 27: 7. Social benefits of Renewable Ene
Page 28 and 29: 8.10 The economicbenefits of renewa
Page 30 and 31: Fig.1 - Responses to Questions 13(d
Page 32 and 33: 10. Baseline Data and Forecasts10.1
Page 34 and 35: 11. Technological Issues for Renewa
Page 36 and 37: 12. Infrastructure Requirements12.1
Page 38 and 39: 13.7 This research paper provides a
Page 40 and 41: Appendix A. Characteristics and App
Page 42 and 43: Domestic Micro Wind TurbinesDomesti
Page 44 and 45: Forests and WoodlandThe potential o
Page 46 and 47: acknowledged that increasing the su
Page 48 and 49: Ground/Water/Air Source HeatPumpsGr
Page 50 and 51: Biogas (Anaerobic Digestion)Biogas
Page 52 and 53: OpportunitiesFew planning obstacles
Page 54 and 55: OpportunitiesSignificant potential
Page 56 and 57: GROUND/AIR/WATER SOURCE HEAT PUMPSO
Page 58 and 59: Appendix C. Example calculations of
Page 60 and 61: Appendix D. Maps of Predicted Incre
Page 62 and 63:
Appendix E. Energy Saving Trust tab
Page 64 and 65:
MAP OF DELIVERABLE WIND RESOURCEIN
Page 66 and 67:
SOLAR IRRADIANCE AT DIFFERENTLOCATI
Page 68 and 69:
MAP OF UPTAKE OF ENERGY CROP SCHEME
Page 70 and 71:
FORESTRY COMMISSION WOODLAND OPPORT
Page 72 and 73:
DISTRIBUTION OF WOODLAND OF OVER 2
Page 74 and 75:
CO2 EMMISSIONS IN WORCESTERSHIRE IN
Page 76 and 77:
CHANGE IN CO2 EMISSIONS IN WORCESTE
Page 78 and 79:
TOTAL FINAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION AT L
Page 80 and 81:
Appendix H. Sources of Further Info
Page 82 and 83:
Further ReadingThe Assessment and R
Page 84 and 85:
Rural Regeneration Zone Annual Repo
Page 86:
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