Q-C1.2: Are there any other criteria which should be considered when assessing proposals for large scale renewable energy developments?
Areas to be considered should have tree cover to the north of such aites
No answer given
If every home was encouraged to have solar power panels - and ALL new homes had solar and wind power included in their planning then this would be a large scale of renewable energy and obviate the need for large scale renewable energy developments. Energy developments like this should not be within the greenbelt - greenbelt should remain greenbelt - solar farms and animals/wildlife do not mix.
Flood zones
Would large scale developments be needed if solar panels were located on every suitable domestic and commercial roof? There should be a policy to encourage this. Large scale developments should not be permitted when there is a solution which has less impact on wildlife and visual amenity.
Consideration should be given to communities benefiting in terms of a reduction to their cost of electricity for the time that the development is in place, as should giving the public the opportunity to buy shares in any wind farm and get a return in electricity cost reduction. The rooves of schools, warehouses, public buildings should be equipped with solar panels, and there should be a policy that all new buildings are equipped with appropriate levels of solar panels.
Issue C1: Solar and wind power: Consideration should be given to communities benefiting in terms of a reduction to their cost of electricity for the time that the development is in place, as should giving the public the opportunity to buy shares in any wind farm and get a return in electricity cost reduction. The rooves of schools, warehouses, public buildings should be equipped with solar panels, and there should be a policy that all new buildings are equipped with appropriate levels of solar panels.
Issue C1: Solar and wind power: Consideration should be given to communities benefiting in terms of a reduction to their cost of electricity for the time that the development is in place, as should giving the public the opportunity to buy shares in any wind farm and get a return in electricity cost reduction. The rooves of schools, warehouses, public buildings should be equipped with solar panels, and there should be a policy that all new buildings are equipped with appropriate levels of solar panels.
The criteria listed in the Issues and Options consultation document provide a useful starting point. Other key considerations include grid connectivity, the additional infrastructure that may be required to facilitate delivery of a renewable energy scheme and cumulative impacts. Question Q-C1.2 is focussed on the criteria that should be considered when assessing proposals. However, it is also important to identify (and consult on) the methodology that would be used for identifying ‘suitable areas’. We recommend that the identification of suitable areas should be underpinned by a combination of: . a landscape sensitivity assessment (LSA); . constraints mapping (e.g., proximity to: designated nature conservation and historic environment designations; priority habitats; existing infrastructure, etc., with buffer zones being applied where appropriate; . technical considerations (e.g., wind speed, grid connectivity, etc.). Areas of high landscape sensitivity should be excluded from the suitable areas, especially in the Cotswolds National Landscape and its setting. Within the Cotswolds National Landscape and its setting, the LSA should have regard to the ‘special qualities’ of the Cotswolds National Landscape24 and to guidance published by the Cotswolds National Landscape, including the Cotswolds AONB Landscape Character Assessment (including the key features / characteristics of the relevant landscape character types) and the Cotswolds AONB Landscape Strategy & Guidelines. 24 The ‘special qualities’ of the Cotswolds National Landscape are listed in Chapter 2 of the Cotswolds AONB Management Plan
Issue C1: Solar and wind power: Solar PV should ensure proposals are appropriately sited, give proper weight to environmental considerations such as landscape, species and visual impacts, heritage and local amenity, and provide opportunities for local communities to influence decisions that affect them. NE would like to make it clear that any proposal for a solar farm involving the best and most versatile agricultural land would need to be justified by the most compelling evidence. Soil is a finite resource which plays an essential role within sustainable ecosystems, performing an array of functions supporting a range of ecosystem services, including storage of carbon, the infiltration and transport of water, nutrient cycling, and provision of food. It is recognised that a proportion of the agricultural land will experience temporary land loss. In order to both retain the long term potential of this land and to safeguard all soil resources as part of the overall sustainability of the whole development, it is important that the soil is able to retain as many of its many important functions and services (ecosystem services) as possible through careful soil management and appropriate soil use, with consideration on how any adverse impacts on soils can be avoided or minimised. The Plan should refer to the Defra Code of practice for the sustainable use of soils on construction sites (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-of-practice-for-the-sustainable-use-of-soils-on-construction-sites).
Historic England welcomes that the impact on historic assets and landscape are included as criteria against which schemes for solar and wind power should be considered. If the SWLP does choose to allocate land for these forms of renewable energy generation, then, in the same way as for housing or employment allocations, we advise undertaking the process of the ‘Site Selection Methodology’ as set out in Historic England’s Advice Note 3 The Historic Environment and Site Allocations in Local Plans, 2015 (HEAN3), to ensure to ensure that the plan is positively prepared.
Consideration should be given to communities benefiting in terms of a reduction to their cost of electricity for the time that the development is in place, as should giving the public the opportunity to buy shares in any wind farm and get a return in electricity cost reduction. The rooves of schools, warehouses, public buildings should be equipped with solar panels, and there should be a policy that all new buildings are equipped with appropriate levels of solar panels.
Issue C1: Solar and wind power: Consideration should be given to communities benefiting in terms of a reduction to their cost of electricity for the time that the development is in place, as should giving the public the opportunity to buy shares in any wind farm and get a return in electricity cost reduction. The rooves of schools, warehouses, public buildings should be equipped with solar panels, and there should be a policy that all new buildings are equipped with appropriate levels of solar panels.
Issue C1: Solar and wind power: Consideration should be given to communities benefiting in terms of a reduction to their cost of electricity for the time that the development is in place, as should giving the public the opportunity to buy shares in any wind farm and get a return in electricity cost reduction. The rooves of schools, warehouses, public buildings should be equipped with solar panels, and there should be a policy that all new buildings are equipped with appropriate levels of solar panels.
Issue C1: Solar and wind power: Consideration should be given to communities benefiting in terms of a reduction to their cost of electricity for the time that the development is in place, as should giving the public the opportunity to buy shares in any wind farm and get a return in electricity cost reduction. The rooves of schools, warehouses, public buildings should be equipped with solar panels, and there should be a policy that all new buildings are equipped with appropriate levels of solar panels.
Issue C1: Solar and wind power: Consideration should be given to communities benefiting in terms of a reduction to their cost of electricity for the time that the development is in place, as should giving the public the opportunity to buy shares in any wind farm and get a return in electricity cost reduction. The rooves of schools, warehouses, public buildings should be equipped with solar panels, and there should be a policy that all new buildings are equipped with appropriate levels of solar panels.
Claverdon is certain that there are such criteria but does not have the expertise to respond to this question.
whatever is best for the environment & residents, now and in the future
Policy should ensure roof space is allocated for renewable energy production. Large warehouses have huge unused roof spaces for example which, with government led policy, could be utilised for green energy. This would mean space which could be allocated to agriculture/green belt/housing can be used for such rather than large solar/wind farms. Where land/space is in demand we need to utilise our roof and air space more effectively.
Visual impact on landscapes over a wide area; visual impact on historic landscapes; noise impact over adjoining areas; mental health impact of overlooking constantly turning blades; impact on wildlife, for example bird-kills.
Q-C1.1: Please select the option which is most appropriate for South Warwickshire Option C1.1c: None of these Policy should ensure roof space is allocated for renewable energy production. Large warehouses have huge unused roof spaces for example which, with government led policy, could be utilised for green energy. This would mean space which could be allocated to agriculture/green belt/housing can be used for such rather than large solar/wind farms. Where land/space is in demand we need to utilise our roof and air space more effectively.
For new developments that are in proximity to the SRN such as Wind and Solar Farms, developers may be required to undertake the following as part of their planning application. • Glint and Glare Assessment • Travel Plan and Construction Traffic Management Plan • Road Safety Audit (if required) • Trip Generation and Distribution • Construction Traffic Generation and Distribution • Number of AILs (i.e. length, width, height etc.) • Number of HGV movements • Distribution of construction vehicles and AIL routing • AIL route options via the SRN to site
Q-C1.1: Please select the option which is most appropriate for South Warwickshire Option C1.1c: None of these Policy should ensure roof space is allocated for renewable energy production. Large warehouses have huge unused roof spaces for example which, with government led policy, could be utilised for green energy. This would mean space which could be allocated to agriculture/green belt/housing can be used for such rather than large solar/wind farms. Where land/space is in demand we need to utilise our roof and air space more effectively.
The Parish Council does not have expertise to respond to this question.
What is not mentioned are the significantly large areas of roofs on both residential and non residential buildings that could be equipped with PV. This could include schools, warehouses, public buildings etc.We suggest that the Plan should include a policy that all new buildings are equipped with appropriate levels of PV panels. As stated earlier, this should at least provide the electricity to match the EUI and where possible additional panels to aid EV charging.