Planning for Large Scale Solar PV in Cornwall - Regensw

Planning for Large Scale Solar PV in Cornwall

Adrian Lea Manager; Natural Resources Planning Team

April 2010 - Feed in Tariff • Anticipated a large number of applications for 5MW solar farms • Dedicated team of planning officers • Training for elected Members • Planning guidance • Planning Performance Agreements • 250 sites screened

Solar PV Screening Requests

August 2011 – Our achievements

• • • •

36 planning applications submitted 36 granted planning permission 130MW (50MW installed) No refusals

Solar PV Planning Applications

http://www.cornwallsolardirectory.co.uk/inward-investment.php

Community Gain • • • •

4MW solar farm Community benefit £20-25,000 per year for 25 years Direct to Parish Councils to be spent in the community Sustainable energy production, energy demand reduction and awareness raising

Planning Guidance for Large Scale Solar PV Arrays • • • • • • • • • •

Landscape/visual impact Agriculture Ground maintenance Ecology Ground Anchors Historic environment Drainage Security Glint & glare Duration of planning permission

The Golden Rules • Avoid BMV agricultural land • Ground maintenance • Landscape & visual/cumulative impact • Ecological opportunities/enhancement • Longevity/permanence/reversibility

Large Scale Solar PV – The Current Position

Adrian Lea Manager; Natural Resources Planning Team [email protected] 01872 224504