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 6th
August 2010

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 discussions
why bother?
• It’s 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 of
us.

11. Pre-application discussions
your role
• 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
alea@cornwall.gov.uk
01872 322314