By Richard Garland, Regeneration Network Climate Change Champion

We are all aware of the Government’s Carbon Emissions Reduction Targets. It now appears that these may be having real effects on rural areas through pressure applied to the planning system. A press release from the Planning Portal on 22 October revealed some startling statistics which are already apparent from a presence on the ground.

The Portal reported figures announced at the British Wind Energy Association annual conference in Liverpool that Local Authority level approvals of wind farm applications have fallen to an all time low of just 25%. Locally we are seeing such application raise a large amount of objections and often high profile publicity campaigns against proposed wind farms.

This is in complete contrast to the situation at appeal where some 62% of Wind Farm appeals are being upheld; clearly a large disparity. Not only that but we are seeing increased number of appeals allowed even when subject to a serious objections from bodies such as the MOD, in the hope that these can be ironed out through condition.

Clearly there is a major disparity between the local pressures applied on Committee decisions at a local level and the pressure from Government to approve renewable energy schemes apparent through PINS. It appears that this is a direct result of Carbon Emission Reduction Targets which the Government is now legally obliged to meet.

But is this to the detriment of the rural environment? John Prescott is quoted as saying “We cannot let the vocal minority stop our move to a low carbon economy and stop us meeting our global emissions targets.” BWEA Chief Executive Maria McCaffery reportedly went a step further and referred to “Councils being swayed by NIMBY pressure groups rather than the facts”.

Are we now in a situation where the national commitment to emissions reductions means the rural environment automatically comes in second best and rural residents are just seen as a ‘vocal minority’?  If so, where does this stop? Do we soon face wind farms in the National Parks? ‘Is this to be made more acute by proposed increase to permitted development rights?

Author:

Catherine Middleton

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

06-May-10

Categories:

 

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