Tackling Climate Change through the Planning System

What NEF Consultants offer

NEF's team of renewable energy and energy efficiency consultants are able to use their experience to help Regional and Local Planning Authorities to:

• Identify resources and constraints within a Region and help develop criteria based policies and identify broad areas for renewable energy development and set targets for 2010 and 2020.
• Identify the appropriate criteria on renewable energy to be included in Development Plans.
• Advise on the setting of targets in Development Plans for the on-site generation of renewable energy.
• Monitor targets that have been set and review them on a regular basis and advise on whether they should be increased upward if they are met.
• Assist with Sustainability Appraisals and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to ensure that they reflect sustainable development principles
• Decide how they can lead by example and install renewable energy schemes on their own premises or develop 'private wire' networks in town centres.
• Develop their Statement of Community Involvement and assist in the facilitation of community involvement, both before and after the submission of applications for the development of renewable energy.
• Develop Supplementary Planning Documents on renewable energy and design.
• Encourage community lead renewable energy initiatives.
• Assist the LPA to identify the scope of an Environmental Impact Assessment for relevant planning proposals.
• Advise on the development of Local Development Orders to expand national permitted development rights insofar as they relate to renewable energy installations.
• Draw up Development Briefs for specific developments.
• Formulate an Energy Plan, either as part of a wider community, climate change or carbon reduction strategy, or as a stand-alone document.

NEF can also offer training on renewable energy and energy efficiency for local authority planners and members.

In addition NEF are able to assist Regional Assemblies to co-ordinate Regional and Local Planning Authorities on the preparation of criteria based policies.

Background to NEF Planning Consultancy

The Government has set or agreed a number of targets to reduce levels of greenhouse gas emissions. They include:

• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012 (Kyoto Treaty).
• Producing 10% of electricity from renewable sources by 2010, with an aspiration of 20% by 2020 (Renewables Obligation).
• The aspiration of reducing CO₂ emissions by 60% by 2050 with real progress by 2020 (Energy White Paper 2003).

'local planning authorities should ensure that development plans contribute to global sustainability by addressing the causes and potential impacts of climate change' (paragraph 13 ii).

Current national planning policy on renewable energy is set out in PPS22, which is accompanied by technical guidance in a Companion Guide. It calls for positive planning policies at regional and local levels to encourage the use of the full range of available renewable resources. Renewable energy targets are to be expressed as minimums and must not be regarded as a ceiling for development; but be reviewed regularly and revised upwards as they are achieved or become close to being achieved.

All policies and proposals in the development plan will be subject to a Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to ensure that they reflect sustainable development principles. The SEA provides a mechanism for local authorities to understand baseline conditions on climate, and provides an opportunity to collect comprehensive data on greenhouse gas emissions.

Following the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, local authorities have been in the process of preparing Local Development Frameworks, which need to incorporate the legislation and policies outlined above.