Question

What should an SPG on wind farms contain?

The purpose of the SPG should be to provide an interim basis for efficient and consistent decision making for wind farm development. However, there is no prescriptive list regarding the content of the SPG. As a starting point, the SPG should be based on the principle that:

"wind farms should be accommodated where the technology can operate efficiently and environmental and cumulative impacts can be addressed satisfactorily." (SPP6 Annex A paragraph 3)

In preparing an SPG, local authorities should be able to demonstrate that full consideration of the issues relevant to the local plan area. In accord with SPP6, the SPG should set out:

•  Those broad areas of search where proposals are likely to be supported subject to specific proposals satisfactorily addressing all other material considerations;
•  Those areas that can be afforded significant protection through spatial policies; and
•  The criteria to be followed in the remainder of the plan area where the approach will be to consider applications on their merits, against clear criteria and mindful of the support given in SPP6 to the promotion of renewable energy developments.

Using the guidance provided in SPP6, together with a review of existing SPGs, the content of the SPG should consider the following:

• The context for wind development within the local area;
• The context of current wind turbine technology i.e. on and off-shore, single and multiple schemes, size and output of turbines;
• The national policy framework;
• The local policy framework;
• Identification of broad areas of search; and
• Establish the spatial context for:

o       Areas of significant protection i.e. international and national designations, green belt areas and areas where the limits of cumulative impact have been reached;

o       Other constrained areas and policy criteria i.e. historic environment, regional and local natural heritage, tourism and recreational interest, communities, aviation and defence and telecommunications; and

o       Other local interests and technical constraint