Planning for Renewable Energy in Worcestershire Research Paper

9. COMMUNITY & STAKEHOLDER ● Planning for Renewable Energy in Worcestershire9.3 In order to avoid misconceptionsof renewable energy technologies, it isimportant to provide a clear indication ofwhat each type of installation could mean,not merely in terms of the energygenerated, but also in terms of theimpacts it may have on people's lives. Asmentioned elsewhere in this report, thelandscape, biodiversity and heritageimpacts of renewables are significantconsiderations when judging howappropriate a particular scheme may be.It is equally important to ensure that otherlocalised issues of concern are given dueconsideration. There may be anxiety overnoise pollution, smell, shadow flicker,traffic impacts, etc. The information atAppendices A and B seeks to provide abalanced account of the technologies andtheir impacts.Community engagement from an earlystage should concentrate on providingaccurate and appropriate information tohelp people to develop informed opinions.As with many other developmentproposals, misinformation can be verydamaging to potential schemes, andensuring reliable information is availablefrom the outset can help avoid theseissues. It is anticipated that as awarenessfor environmental issues grows, theninformation on renewables will reachwider audiences, and appropriatechannels should be explored forcommunicating this message. This coulddraw upon the resources of the LocalStrategic Partnerships at both County andDistrict level.9.4 Community support will be of greatbenefit when planning/progressing arenewables scheme. Early consultationshould enable an informed view to betaken. It may be possible for local peopleto become directly involved in a proposal,through investment; there exist examplesthroughout the country of communityownedor part-owned renewable energyschemes, whereby people invest a stakein the project's development and runningcosts, and receive a share of any profitsfrom the sale of electricity, etc. This offersan innovative approach to helpcommunities devise and deliverrenewable energy schemes in theirlocality.9.5 Schemes often involve extensiveconsultation exercises and, as with anyplanning application, comments onrenewable energy schemes submitted toLPAs may be made by anybodyconcerned. If a scheme is larger than50MW capacity, then responsibility fordetermining the scheme rests with centralgovernment. It should be recognised thatonly the very largest schemes will fallwithin this category (see Section 4 andAppendix C for capacity examples).COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION:SUMMARY/SUGGESTIONS● PUBLIC CONSULTATION HAS INDICATED AN ENTHUSIASM FOR TACKLINGCLIMATE CHANGE AND INCREASING THE USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY.● AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, CONSULTING ON INDIVIDUAL PROPOSALS AT ANEARLY STAGE COULD ESTABLISH POTENTIAL LEVELS OF SUPPORT OROPPOSITION IN THE COMMUNITY, AND ALLOW FOR AN INFORMED DIALOGUETO TAKE PLACE BEFORE SCHEMES ARE FORMALLY SUBMITTED FORPLANNING PERMISSION.24Technical Research Paper