TUESDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2006

TCPA LAUNCHES NEW RENEWABLE ENERGY GUIDANCE FOR TOWN PLANNERS

The Town and Country Planning Association today launched new renewable energy policy guidance to help planners tackle climate change in their communities.

The sustainable development charity, together with the British Wind Energy Association and others, has developed the detailed advice for planners aiming to meet Government targets for reducing CO2 emissions.

TCPA Director Gideon Amos today urged planners to be ambitious in their pursuit of renewable energy.

Speaking at the Local Government Association Sustainable Communities Summit in Birmingham today, Gideon Amos said:

"Planners have a huge opportunity to become leaders in the field of renewable energy, and to make an enormous contribution towards reducing dangerous greenhouse gases.

“Integrating clean, renewable forms of energy is cost-effective and increasingly popular. Local residents will thank planners for reducing their dependence on expensive, and insecure forms of energy such as fossil fuels through the application of diverse technologies including wind, solar and biomass.”

The new guidance presents government policy PPS22 (Renewable Energy) in an accessible format and encourages planners to push the boundaries set by minimum standards.

Last week the TCPA, Renewable Energy Association, Friends of the Earth and others welcomed Conservative Shadow Environment Minister Gregory Barker MP’s call for renewable energy systems to be required in all major new developments.  

 

Mr Barker’s amendment to the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill would require developers to “incorporate on site renewable energy in all new commercial developments over 1000m2 and all residential developments over 5 units.”  The amendment would ensure that local planning authorities “specifically encourage such schemes through positively expressed policies in local development plans.”

 

The amendment to the Bill was defeated by 10 votes to 5 by MPs, but the importance of the issue, and the need to look again at PPS22, was accepted by the Government in committing to the review.

 

In response to the amendment Renewable Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks said:

“We recognise that concerns have been expressed as to whether all authorities will include policies on on-site renewables, as PPS22 says they should. At the moment, however, only limited evidence is available. My hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning [Yvette Cooper MP] has given a commitment that her Department will undertake an urgent review of local plans to determine whether there is a problem with emerging plans that do not fully

incorporate PPS22 guidance. If a problem is identified, her Department will take swift and appropriate action.”

 

TCPA Director Gideon Amos said:

"The TCPA welcomes action taken by both the Conservatives and the Labour Government in Parliament today. The Government's commitment to an urgent review of an important piece of planning guidance is key to addressing the challenge of climate change."

 

Seb Berry Head of Micro-Renewables at the Renewable Energy Association said:

"We welcome the Government's recognition that this is a serious issue to be addressed. We look forward to Government completing this urgent review as soon as possible."

 

In January the TCPA published ‘Sustainable Energy by Design’ which showcases how innovative planners, developers and investors are doing their bit to combat climate change, whilst profiting from the increasingly competitive business of supplying clean, green energy in towns and cities across the UK.

 

 

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors

 

  1. The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) is an independent charity working to improve the art and science of town and country planning. The TCPA puts social justice and the environment at the heart of policy debate and inspires government, industry and campaigners to take a fresh perspective on major issues, including planning policy, housing, regeneration and climate change. Our objectives are to:
    - Secure a decent, well designed home for everyone, in a human-scale environment combining the best features of town and country
    - Empower people and communities to influence decisions that affect them
    - Improve the planning system in accordance with the principles of sustainable development
  2. Download the new TCPA guidance “Planning for Renewable Energy: Implementing PPS22 – Guidance for preparing renewable energy planning policies in development plan documents” at the following link: http://www.tcpa.org.uk/press_files/pressreleases_2006/20060208-Renewables_Guide.pdf
  3. Join the TCPA at www.tcpa.org.uk
  4. The Hansard record of the Committee debate is available at the following link: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmstand/c/st060209/pm/60209s04.htm
  5. ‘Sustainable Energy by Design’ is available at http://www.tcpa.org.uk/bydesign.htm
  6. The TCPA Sustainable Housing Forum recently published new guidance, which sets out how spatial planning – at local and regional levels - can improve quality of life, reduce the impacts of climate change, and help to prevent future climate chaos by aiming for carbon-neutral development. The guide offers step-by-step advice on:

·         Promoting high energy-efficiency standards to reduce CO2 emissions

·         Reducing the need and propensity to travel by car

·         Promoting small- and large-scale renewable energy projects

·         Rethinking the design and layout of communities to take account of environmental limits and promote sustainable growth for the 21st century http://www.tcpa.org.uk/shf/shf.htm or download the pdf version from the TCPA website http://www.tcpa.org.uk/shf/20060103-LA_Guide.pdf