« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
CONTEXT FOR PREPARING SPG
6. Planning authorities already have development plan policies, and in many cases SPG, for wind farms. The extent to which these reflect SPP6 varies. A first step in preparing new SPG should therefore be to assess what exists already and determine the extent of any review. In some cases the preparation of SPG may involve no more than the selective update of the existing policy. However, a key change in the context is the Scottish Government target of meeting 50% of electricity demand from renewable resources by 2020.
7. Some planning authorities and national park authorities may find it beneficial to work collaboratively, particularly in preparatory work on the spatial framework element of the SPG. This is likely to be particularly appropriate where issues such as cumulative impact, designated areas and recreational value cross administrative boundaries. Authorities should therefore make contact with others where they can foresee benefits in joint working.
8. The SPG and its spatial framework will have to be sufficiently detailed to provide the basis for decision-making on specific proposals. In some areas there might be advantages in setting an overview followed by the spatial framework and policies, but it will generally be the latter which are important and resources should not be put into work on an overview unnecessarily, especially if it would delay the preparation of full SPG.
9. Advice on the technical background to wind power is provided in Planning Advice Note 45, Renewable Energy Technologies and remains relevant. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2002/02/pan45/pan-45 This annex to the PAN focuses on SPG and particularly the process of preparing the spatial framework as set out in Annex A to SPP6.
10. SPP6 applies to wind farms with a capacity below 50 MW which are determined under planning legislation and to larger wind farms which are determined under the Electricity Act 1989 and the planning authority is a statutory consultee. The SPG will also be applicable to both. The Scottish Government announced in December 2007 a series of measures to streamline the decision-making process under Section 36 of the Electricity Act, including the intention of working towards a nine month target for such applications where there is no need for a Public Local Inquiry - see http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/12/06144432
11. Information regarding Electricity Act applications, guidance for developers and the legislation is provided on the Scottish Government Energy Consents website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Energy-Consents
12. Scottish Natural Heritage ( SNH) plays an important advisory role in planning for wind farms. Its Strategic Locational Guidance for Wind Farms can be seen at: http://www.snh.org.uk/strategy/renewables/sr-WP.asp
Further general sources of information can be found on the following websites;
Scottish Renewables - http://www.scottishrenewables.com/
British Wind Energy Association - http://www.bwea.com/
Supplementary Planning Guidance for Windfarms http://www.spgadvice.co.uk/
« Previous | Contents | Next »