Council planning policy must include provision for renewable energy developments under new government guidance.
Councils will be forced to promote the development of renewable energy resources according to new planning guidance issued by the government today.
Planning Policy Staement 22 (PPS22): Renewable Energy states that targets for renewable energy generation should be set out in regional spatial strategies. PPS22 will also allow local authorities to require a percentage of the energy to be used in new developments to come from on-site renewable energy.
Minister for planning Keith Hill said: “The increased development of renewable energy resources is vital to ensure the delivery of the Government’s commitments to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change as set out in the energy White Paper. The publication of PPS22 is a positive and significant step towards allowing the delivery of more renewable energy developments and so meeting those commitments”
Hill said that national parks and areas of outstanding beauty should also be able to accommodate small-scale renewable energy developments.
