Planning for Renewable Energy in Worcestershire Research Paper

4. Community Strategies, Climate ChangeStrategy and Local Area Agreements4.1 Community Strategies set out along-term vision of how an area shouldprogress, in terms of social,environmental and economicdevelopment. Prepared by Local StrategicPartnerships (LSPs), they form animportant function in seekingimprovements for an area through arange of means. Whilst of significance tocommunity strategies, planning issues arejust one of a host of subjects that areaddressed, which means the strategiesare not limited in their scope, but are ableto consider the wider aspirations of thecommunity.4.2 There are opportunities not onlyfor community strategies to influence theoutcome of planning documents, but alsofor planning documents to help shape thecontent of community strategies. In thisregard, it is important to ensure thatrevisions of community strategies take fullaccount of the latest energy policy, andencourage sustainable practices. This caninclude, for instance, procurement policiesfor partner organisations dictating thatonly 'green' energy should be used ontheir premises. LSPs have a key role toplay in the promotion of renewables, andensuring they are recognised inCommunity Strategies will be central tothis role."Local planning authorities, regionalstakeholders and Local StrategicPartnerships should fostercommunity involvement inrenewable energy projects and seekto promote knowledge of andgreater acceptance by the public ofprospective renewable energydevelopments that are appropriatelylocated".Key principle (vii), PPS224.3 The Community Strategy forWorcestershire (Second Edition 2008 -2013) is a County-wide document thathelps to shape a broad range of policydevelopment, including planning policy.The Community Strategy recognises thepotential for renewable energy to play abigger role and now includes the followingPriority Outcome:To increase energy efficiency andincrease the proportion of energygenerated from renewable sources.4.4 The Community Strategy's climatechange priorities are explored in moredetail in the Worcestershire ClimateChange Strategy, which aims to raiseawareness of the issue of climate change;to reduce harmful climate change causinggas emissions across the county; and toassist adaptation to the impacts of climatechange in the county.4.5 For the purposes of preparingLocal Development Frameworks, theforemost objectives contained in theClimate Change Strategy are the need forpartners to work together, in order to:"Increase production of renewableenergy from 5% to 12.5% of regionaltargets by 2010. This means meetingthe following production targets:Electricity 155GWh by 2011Heat 30GWh by 2011Biofuel 5.5 million litres by 2011""Ensure specific policies andguidance on the exploitation ofrenewable energy resources areincluded in all strategic and localdevelopment plans."Extracts from proposed objectives, pages 24/25,Worcestershire Climate Change Strategy4. COMMUNITY STRATEGIES ● Planning for Renewable Energy in WorcestershireTechnical Research Paper 9