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Application form
Please make sure you have read all the notes carefully before you start to fill in the application form. This application form can either be completed by hand or electronically - it is available on the Planning homepage at www.scotland.gov.uk/planning. Please complete all five sections. The deadline for submitting applications is 8 September 2006. An acknowledgement letter will be sent to the person who has completed this form.
1 Please provide a name and contact details of the lead organisation responsible for this work.
Name | Piers Blaxter |
Job title | TeamLeader, Structure Plans |
Organisation | Planning Policy and Environment, Aberdeenshire Council |
Address | Woodhill House, Westburn Road, Aberdeen |
Telephone | 01224 664755 |
Fax | 01224 664679 |
Email | Piers.blaxter@Aberdeenshire.gov.uk |
2 If this is a joint application, please list the other partners who had a key role. You should also inform your partners that you are nominating the project for an award.
3 Tick the category of nomination
Title of entry | Aberdeenshire Council Renewable Energy Strategy |
Please complete the form on the following pages by providing a brief summary of the piece of work you have entered. You must also conclude with a key reason as to why you think this work merits an Award. Only the two A4 pages supplied here can be used and your text must fit within the boxes. The font size should be no less than 12pt.
The judging criteria are set out below. Please tick only the key criteria relevant to your entry:
You must describe, in your written submission, how the criteria which you have ticked relate to your project.
Description of project
Aberdeenshire Council has adopted an innovative approach to the integration of policy between services on issues relating to renewable energy technologies. Through the development of an inter-service "Renewable Energy Strategy", a range of actions to promote renewable energy were identified, including a suite of detailed supplementary planning guidance on wind, biomass and micro-renewable energy. Other actions were identified for the Education, Property and Economic Development services. Through the renewable energy strategy and the supplementary planning guidance that followed, a comprehensive and coherent approach to planning for renewable energy has been provided, which is supported by other initiatives across the Council. |
Context - describe the background to the project
In the course of development of the strategy it was identified that there was a perception of inconsistency and consumer dissatisfaction in the decision-making process across the six devolved council areas in relation to wind and other renewable energy projects. These issues were reflected in the objections received in relation to the renewable energy policies in the then draft Aberdeenshire Local Plan. Objectors highlighted the need for further guidance on the location, siting and design of wind farms in particular, and were concerned about how and by whom planning and environmental impacts would be assessed. Lack of experience, and guidance, on other technologies was resulting in unwarranted obstruction of planning applications for biomass and small-scale facilities. |
What are the aims and objectives of the project?
The strategy is to assist the Aberdeenshire community to work towards the renewable energy and carbon emission targets set by the Scottish Executive and UK government, as well as maximising natural benefits and promoting sustainable communities by: - promoting the local development of renewable energy of all types;
- persuading development interests and householders to adopt renewable energy technologies; and
- providing a coherent and sympathetic policy framework with improved efficiency and effectiveness.
In this context specific actions flowing from the strategy included the production of supplementary guidance to support development plan policy on renewable energy, promotion of renewable technologies and the integration of the consideration of renewable energy technologies into the Councils standards for design briefs. |
Timescale - over what timescale has the project been developed?
Timescales have been as short as possible. The Renewable Energy strategy was agreed by Aberdeenshire Council in December 2004. All the actions proposed for the planning service were completed by May 2006. However, this project continues to evolve as a mandate has been received from Members of Aberdeenshire Council to review and update the strategy and resulting actions. |
Action - explain the process and action taken
The Renewable Energy Strategy was developed and agreed through the political process and with extensive member involvement. Extensive public consultation was undertaken during the preparation of the supplementary planning guidance which included a workshop at the start of the process with developers and environmental groups to identify the main issues each of the guidelines should consider. This was followed by further internal consultations with various council departments and key stakeholders on the initial drafts. A widespread public consultation exercise of the finalised drafts was then undertaken which allowed developers, statutory bodies and the general public the opportunity to comment on the documents. All issues raised by consultees were individually considered and responded to. The guidelines were formally approved by the Infrastructure Services Committee of Aberdeenshire Council. The leaflet was developed in consultation with other council departments, including built and natural heritage. |
Explain the role of the key partners
Council practitioners: planning policy, development management, economic development, and built and natural heritage officers have all been key players in the development of this project, which was facilitated by the strategic planning policy team. The statutory and non-statutory agencies: Historic Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and Forestry Commission provided advice during the preparation of the guidelines and on the finalised drafts during the public consultation stage. Renewables energy sector, including the Scottish Renewables Forum provided guidance on their key concerns.Local action groups identified at the Aberdeenshire Local Plan Inquiry, provided advice on the main issues they were concerned with from a community point of view. |
Results - what results were achieved?
The renewable energy strategy has acted as a focus and catalyst for a wide range of actions. It has allowed coordination of initiatives across the Council and, for the planning function, providing the justification to undertake a substantial body of work. The approach adopted has been vindicated by the rapid implementation of a range of related initiatives. Positive feedback has been received from homeowners to developers on the usefulness of the guidelines, and when the documents were on display at a renewable energy exhibition, all were taken. |
Conclusion - in summary, why does this piece of work merit an Award?
| The project represents an innovative approach to coordinating action on a topical subject across the local authority.It demonstrates how the planning function can provide a vehicle for a range of related issues and stimulate concerted actions. In relation to the actions identified for the planning service the production of supplementary planning guidance has assisted planning officers in the determination of planning applications for renewable energy developments and provided information required by applicants. These had been identified by the renewables industry as two of the contributing factors to the delay in determining such proposals. Implementation of the actions identified has been undertaken in partnership with private and public sector bodies, as well as local community groups, in order to ensure the project achieved benefits for members of the community, practitioners, and developers. |
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