The need for an SPG for On-shore Wind Farms

The Scottish Government wishes to ensure that each Planning and National Park Authority has up to date planning policies, including a spatial framework, for on-shore windfarm development which reflects SPP6.  In response to a Parliamentary Question the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure & Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson, stated:

"The government believes that Scottish Planning Policy (SPP)6 Renewable Energy provides a sound national policy context for addressing onshore wind development. We want to see the SPP's provisions taken forward urgently, with local authorities engaging with communities and other parties in the preparation of locational strategies in the form of supplementary planning guidance. These local frameworks should provide greater certainty for developers and local communities and speed up the decision making process. We see this approach as striking the right balance between national and local responsibilities.

 

It is likely that authorities will have to review and update their existing policy and we believe there is also scope for authorities to work collaboratively. To assist the authorities at a time when they are addressing the challenges of delivering a modernised planning system, we shall make available a source of expert advice and issue national guidance on the preparation of the supplementary planning guidance. The chief planner will therefore be writing to planning authorities in the near future.

 

SPP6 states in its opening paragraphs the energy policy target of 40% of electricity generated from renewable sources by 2020 and notes that this is not a cap. This government has ambitions for a balanced approach to renewable energy encompassing a range of measures which extend beyond that. The SPP6 provides for a planned approach to delivering the target through setting the overall policy for preparing spatial frameworks, including the safeguarding of areas designated for their national and international natural heritage value and greenbelts. It gives a clear role to local authorities and national park authorities in relation to local interests and designated areas, in the identification of broad areas of search and in setting policy criteria which accord with the SPP."

The urgent need for this was communicated to Heads of Planning by the Scottish Government's Chief Planner last September when he said it should be prepared as supplementary planning guidance until it can be incorporated into new style development plans.  The need is also reinforced by the Government's targets to increase the amount of electricity from renewable energy generation to 31% by 2011 and 50% by 2020.

Further advice on SPG for Windfarms is being prepared by the Scottish Government and will be published shortly.

Advice and Support Service

Our intention is to provide a positive and proactive service to assist your authority in the preparation of its Supplementary Planning Guidance.  We will encourage and support authorities to work together collaboratively in the preparation of the spatial frameworks and SPG.  We believe that it is important to offer a range of ways of accessing and using the advice and support service. 

Our support and advice will reflect and accord with:

• Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 6, Renewable Energy;
• Planning Advice Note 45 Renewable Energy Technologies;
• Forthcoming Scottish Government advice on the preparation of windfarm SPG;
• Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 (Strategic Environmental Assessment); and
• Any other relevant Scottish Planning Policy, advice and legal requirements.
• Enviros will be involved in the allocation and undertaking of work to ensure that it is carried out by the appropriate specialist with appropriate experience and knowledge to provide a high quality service.

Following the Questionnaire which was issued to the authorities in February and the initial workshops held in early March the services which we will offer to provide advice and support will be:

• Further workshops of specific issues dates to be announced
• An advice line (for details of how to contact us please click here)
• Provision of Good Practice Guides (amongst other things) through this Website
• Review/critique of draft SPG

Please note, these services are only available to Planning and National Park Authorities and we are unable to answer inquiries from members of the public.