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"In order to successfully develop the South West’s abundant renewable energy resources it will be vital that development works with the South West’s unique countryside character rather than against it." RegenSW, Regional Renewable Energy Strategy for the South West of England 2003-2010, April 2003, p.8 The Wiltshire Branch of the CPRE supports the search strategy and process "aimed at identifying the opportunities, implications and constraints for sub-regional renewable energy targets in the South West" adopted by the Government Office for the South West and the South West Regional Assembly in their Revision 2010 project, and their declaration that it is "essential to support the expansion of renewable energy while still protecting the natural environment that makes the South west unique" [*]. We believe there should be no presumption in favour of or against any type of renewable-energy development. Each application should be considered on its merits, bearing in mind the following general principles: 1.Developments within nationally designated areas should be considered only after all accessible economic resources identified in the Revision 2010 study have been exhausted. 2.Brownfield sites or existing industrial sites should be used for developments wherever possible, so that buildings, chimneys, or towers associated with the developments would be seen on an industrial skyline or as outgrowths from industrial settings, not as features on a natural skyline or as outgrowths from natural settings. 3.Areas that have no special designation but have high scenic qualities or environmental value should be used only after all the accessible economic resources identified in the Revision 2010 study have been exhausted. 4.In consideration of "scale" of developments, all the following factors should be taken into account: physical size of buildings, number of units, area covered, traffic generated, and potential output of energy, not just potential output of energy alone. 5.Desire for maximum gain (in generation of electricity and the reduction of greenhouse gases) should be tempered by a desire to conserve and enhance the scenic or environmental qualities of the proposed location. The balance of interests between GOSW-SWRA’s twin aims (expansion of renewable energy and protection of the natural environment) should not be distorted by a drive to exploit maximum energy-generation potential irrespective of environmental cost. 6.Wherever possible, development projects should be small, local community initiatives so that acceptance of loss of amenity caused by noise, increased traffic, development sprawl, shadow flicker from turbines, and adverse visual impact from buildings, chimneys, towers, or unconventional crop coverage could be balanced by direct and continuing gain to the local community from the energy generated. 7.Prospective applicants for wind-turbine developments should follow the British Wind Energy Association’s Best Practice Guidelines for Wind Energy Development in the preparation and presentation of their proposals. [*] GOSW leaflet, Revision 2010: Empowering the Region. The Revision 2010 project is being delivered by a consortium co-ordinated by Peter Capener, and includes the Centre for Sustainable Energy, CSMA Consultants, and Energy for Sustainable Development. Final report due by April 2004 CPRE Wiltshire, January 2004 |
| CPRE, Wiltshire Branch,
Lansdowne House, Long Street, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 1NJ Tel: 01380 722157 | Fax: 0870 831 0066 | Email: wiltscpre@btconnect.com Web: www.cprewiltshire.org.uk National site: www.cpre.org.uk The Campaign to Protect Rural England exists to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. CPRE is not responsible for the content, services or reliability of links to external websites. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | All content © CPRE unless otherwise stated. Last update: 04 February 2005 |
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