Planning Renewable Energy In Cornwall - Adrian Lea (Cornwall Council)

• 1. Planning for Renewable Energy in Cornwall
  • Adrian Lea

• Manager; Natural Resources Planning Team

2. Renewable Energy in Cornwall 3. Eden Project June 2010 County Hall Sept 2010 4. 8wk consultation ends 6 thAugust 2010 5. 6. 7. 8. Engaging in the Process

• Site finding & evaluation

• Pre-application discussions

• Community Engagement

• Environmental Impact Assessment

• Preparing the planning application

• Submission & Consultation

• Planning Committee

• Post Determination

9. Site finding & evaluation

• Ideally brownfield, previously used, contaminated or derelict sites

• Check;

• • Ecology

• • Archaeology

• • Agricultural Land Classification

• • Landscape/Visual Designations

• • Grid Connection

10. Pre-application discussionswhy bother?

• Its free ! (in Cornwall)

• Explanation of policy & guidance

• Provides clarity & assurance

• Identifies need for specialist input

• Work together deliver benefits

• Optimise potential of a site

• Saves time, cost & frustration for both ofus.

11. Pre-application discussionsyourrole

• Check the Development Plan

• Visit the site

• Establish site characteristics, constraints and opportunities

• Prepare draft design principles for the site based on the findings of the site survey work

• Check our standards & requirements

12. Environmental Impact Assessment

• Large scale solar arrays not expressly referred to in Regulations

• Apply for Screening public register

• Necessary to judge likely effects of development on environment

13. Community Engagement

• Why bother?

• Improves quality & efficiency of decisions

• Minimises unnecessary & costly conflict

• Educates all participants

• Promotes social cohesion

• Offers communities a tangible role in decision making

• Positive contribution to planning

14. Preparing the Planning Application

• Collaborative Approach

• Landscape impact

• Ground maintenance

• Security

• Ecology

• Ground Anchors

• Access tracks

• Grid connection

• Duration

15. Landscape & Visual Impact LVIA Tracking Glint & Glare 16. Agricultural Land Classification & Ground Maintenance

• Avoid highest grade agricultural land

• Maintaining the grass sward

• • Mowing

• • Strimming

• • Spraying

• • Mulching

• • Grazing

17. Security 18. Ecology Avoid sensitive sites No intensive agricultural activities Encourage & promote diversity Huge opportunities optimise safety & security Built structures 19. Longevity - Ground Anchors 20. Submission & Consultation

• Application fee

• Validation

• Consultation

• Liaison

• Member site visit

• Member training

• Speaking at Planning Committee

• Planning conditions (S106)

21. Issues Facing Local Authorities

• Renewable energy targets

• Number of planning applications

• Cumulative impact

• Duration of permission

• Employment opportunities

• Community gain

• Gamekeeper & Poacher

• Reference Plants

• Member Training

• FIT time constraints

• planning

• construction

• connectivity

22. Adrian Lea Manager; Natural Resources Planning Team [email_address] 01872 322314