A new Government bill aimed at returning more power to local communities is set to alter the rules around developing renewable energy projects in the UK.
The
Localism Bill, which was published in Parliament yesterday, is set to shake up the
local planning process, giving people and communities a greater say in planning and other local matters. It is thought it could have both a negative and positive impact on
renewable energy developments in the UK, including onshore wind farms and smaller community projects.
Renewables industry body RenewableUK described the Localism Bill as a "gamechanger" for the renewable energy sector, saying many of its proposals could have "a profound impact" on renewable energy projects. It will potentially make it easier to build more community renewable energy projects, but it could also have a negative impact on UK renewable energy targets.
"There is no doubt that this Bill, once it becomes law, will dramatically alter the rules for developing renewable energy projects, and the industry will have to follow suit," said Charles Anglin, RenewableUKâs director of Communications. "We could be looking at a radically different planning process, with councillors allowed or even encouraged to campaign ahead of the decision, and the result in some cases being made by referendum. We will need to consult with communities ahead of logging an application and make sure that the economic and community benefits are clear."
Community power
Launching the Bill, yesterday, Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said: "The Localism Bill will herald a ground-breaking shift in power to councils and communities overturning decades of central Government control and starting a new era of people power."
Among the measures in the Bill that will affect
renewable energy projects is replacing regional planning with neighbourhood plans, where communities will have the power to grant planning permission if a local majority is in favour.
Clarity on plans
RenewableUK said in a statement that it was "waiting for clarity on the plans to involve neighbourhoods in the decision making, and details on how planning at neighbourhood level will integrate with council planning procedures".
The trade association also identified measures such as pre-application consultations, the abolition of regional spatial strategies and the community infrastructure levy as particularly significant for the renewable energy sector.
There are close to 270 onshore wind farms in planning, totalling over seven gigawatts, and RenewableUK said people at the local level needed to be shown a clear benefit from hosting renewable energy projects.
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