Section Eleven: Energy
Principles for energy
11.1 The production and use of energy is a key issue in terms of sustainability and climate change. Minimising energy consumption, increasing energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy sources are basic aims of European, national and regional policy on energy. Planning new development in locations which help to minimise the need to travel can contribute to these aims as can the detailed layout and design of development.
11.2 The use of renewable energy can also make a significant contribution and Government policy aims to see 10% of electricity generated from renewable sources by 2010 and 20% by 2020. Due to the upland nature of much of the District the wind resource is regionally significant and wind energy provides the greatest potential for significant energy generation in Tynedale. It clearly brings concerns as to the impact of wind farms on the area and needs to be developed sensitively. There is also potential for other forms of renewable energy generation such as biomass. Domestic and other small scale or micro renewable energy generation is another key way of contributing towards energy aims and will be encouraged. Policy EN1 sets out the principles for energy.
Core Strategy Policy EN1
The principles for energy are to:
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Minimise the amount of energy used through the location, layout and design of development;
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Enable the sensitive development of renewable energy resources in order to make a positive contribution to meeting renewable energy targets;
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Promote the development of micro renewable energy generation
Policy EN1 Implementation and Monitoring Framework Implementation:
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Allocation of sites for development in the Site Allocation DPD.
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Development of detailed policies in the Development Control DPD.
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Decisions on planning applications.
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Encouraging and supporting projects to improve energy efficiency and generate renewable energy where appropriate.
Monitoring:
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Monitoring the applications approved for renewable energy generation including micro generation.
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Monitoring of development proposals approved in terms of location.
Areas of least constraint for wind farms
11.3 Current national, regional and sub regional planning policy provides a positive context for wind energy development in three areas of Tynedale – Knowesgate, Kiln Pitt Hill and Kielder.
11.4 In 2006 the North East Assembly, in liaison with Northumberland County Council and Tynedale and Alnwick District Councils, appointed consultants ARUPs to undertake an independent windfarm development and capacity study of the Knowesgate and Harward forest areas of Northumberland as pilot areas in order to develop and apply a methodology for assessing landscape capacity to absorb wind development in the identified ‘W’ areas. The aim was to provide local authorities with a tool to be used in assessing planning application for wind energy development by providing a fuller understanding of medium scale development, cumulative impact and the need to respond to the local landscape. This study was published in June 2006 and in association with Tynedale Council, the North East Assembly subsequently commissioned ARUPs to undertake a similar study for the Kiln Pitt Hill Area. This latest study was published in January 2007.
11.5 These studies, including the criteria, thresholds and windfarm typologies which have been developed, will be used to assist the Council in considering the balanced landscape and visual impacts of wind energy proposals. Further detailed assessment considering other factors such as biodiversity and archaeology should be reported on in the Environmental Impact Statements accompanying planning applications. Such assessments would be reviewed as part of the decision making process, alongside the comments of consultees on factors such as radar and aviation.
Commercial scale renewable energy development
11.6 To enable the sensitive development of commercial scale renewable energy development, proposals will need to be assessed against criteria to establish the possible impacts of the development. Policy EN2 sets out criteria to ensure that the impacts of such development are fully taken into account including any cumulative impacts when considered along with other developments and proposals. Policy EN2 applies throughout the District but, as noted above, the detailed studies into the areas of least constraint will also be used to assess specific proposals that may come forward. In making such assessments the Council will give significant weight to the wider environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy generation, in line with national planning guidance. These include helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thus counter the adverse effects of climate change, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and developing new technologies.
Core Strategy Policy EN2
The development of commercial scale renewable energy schemes will be permitted provided that all of the following criteria are satisfied:
- There is no significant adverse impact (either directly or cumulatively with other proposals) on:
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The amenity, health and safety of local residents
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The character or appearance of the landscape
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The natural environment and biodiversity
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Areas and sites of archaeological, architectural or historic interest continued...
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The character and setting of nationally and internationally important designated areas including Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site, Northumberland National Park, North Pennines AONB and designated or potential SSSIs
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Agricultural land quality
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Ground conditions
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Air and water quality
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Noise and vibration levels
- Aircraft and radar systems
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Proposals within the North Pennines AONB must demonstrate that the development is in the national interest and that there are no suitable alternative sites in less sensitive areas
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All proposals should include details of associated works such as access roads, ancillary buildings and electricity transmission lines and their likely impact
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All proposals should include a satisfactory scheme for the restoration of the site after decommissioning
In applying this Policy significant weight will be given to the wider environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy generation.
Policy EN2 Implementation and Monitoring FrameworkImplementation:
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Decisions on planning applications.
Monitoring:
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Monitoring the applications approved for renewable energy generation.
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Monitoring of development approved as a departure from this policy.
Energy conservation and production in major new developments
11.7 The Council is keen to pursue the issue of improved energy efficiency and small scale renewable energy generation to help contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions and the consequential benefits in terms of climate change. Policy EN3 therefore establishes a requirement for developments above certain size thresholds to include energy efficiency measures and / or include on site renewable energy generation which results in emission targets set through building regulations being improved upon. Building regulations set a maximum target emission rate in terms of Carbon Dioxide depending on the type and size of building. To meet the terms of Policy EN3 the applicant will need to demonstrate that the actual emission rate is at least 10% below the target rate. A condition will be attached to planning permissions to ensure that information confirming this is submitted before construction begins.
Core Strategy Policy EN3
Housing developments of 10 or more dwellings and other development involving new buildings of at least 1000sqm floorspace will be required to incorporate energy efficiency measures and / or on site renewable energy generation which results in the actual CO2 emission rate being at least 10% below the target emission rate as defined by building regulations.
Policy EN3 Implementation and Monitoring Framework Implementation:
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Decisions on planning applications.
Monitoring:
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Monitoring the applications approved for development affected by this policy and the improvement in CO2 emission rates.
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Monitoring of development approved as a departure from this policy.