WindfarmsImplementing SPP6

Nick Evans 6th December 2007

WindfarmsImplementing SPP6

• Appointing an expert consultant

• Advice on preparing supplementary planning guidance (SPG)

SPP6 - Overall Aims “…to enable Scotland to realise its considerable

renewable energy potential”

“Support renewable energy…and.. protect and enhance Scotland’s natural and historic environment”

“Wind farms should be accommodated where the technology can operate efficiently and the environmental and cumulative impacts can be addressed satisfactorily.”

SPP6 published in March 2007

Spatial frameworks for wind farms

Jim Mackinnon’s letter to Heads of Planning

Prepare SPG

Guidance plus support by a consultant

Background

Appointing an expert consultant

Why appoint a consultant?

Criteria for the appointment

Expectations

Timing

Advice on preparing SPG analysis of existing DPs and SPG

Strengths Commitment to rewewables International and national designations Local environmental issues/biodiversity Small scale/community schemes Stakeholder and public involvement

Advice on preparing SPG analysis of existing DPs and SPG

Issues for advice Broad areas of search Green belts Different designations different policies Grid capacity Noise

Windfarms over 20 MW

Windfarms below 20 MW

Annex A still relevant, but Consider scale of project with scale and

character of landscape More flexible approach to designated areas Particularly for community schemes

Scope of the SPG

Aims of the SPG

1 - Broad areas of search

2 - Areas of significant protection

3 - Criteria to be followed elsewhere

The SPG process

1 - Areas of significant protection

2 - Criteria to be followed elsewhere

3 – Outwith the above Broad areas of search

Natural heritage designations International designations National designations

Green belts

Areas where the limit of cumulative impacts have been reached

Areas of significant protection

Historic environment Regional and local natural heritage areas Tourism and recreational interests Communities Aviation and defence interests Broadcasting installations

Criteria for Elsewhere

Areas with no significant constraints Locally sensitive areas Project viability Grid capacity

Broad areas of search

Outwith protected and potentially constrained areas

Planning challenge Widespread experience of DPs/SPG SPP6 means a review of DPs/SPG Appointing an expert consultant Advice on preparing supplementary planning guidance

(SPG)

Conclusions

WindfarmsImplementing SPP6

Nick Evans 6th December 2007