Energy Impacts on the Landscape
There is increasing recognition that we need to radically change our patterns of energy supply and use if we want to avoid catastrophic changes in our climate. Our current reliance on fossil fuels has added gases such as carbon dioxide to the atmosphere in amounts that threaten to increase average global temperatures to rates that people, plants and animals and landscapes will be unable to adapt to.
We therefore face the prospect of major changes to our cherished countryside in a matter of decades rather than centuries. Adding this factor to the already difficult task of protecting special areas of countryside increases the urgency of finding ways in which CPRE can respond.
Our aims are:
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To support the development of renewable sources of energy supply if sensitively designed and located; particularly supporting small-scale renewable projects which are designed to meet the needs of local communities.
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To reduce energy consumption throughout the Peak District and the South Yorkshire area by promoting energy conservation and efficiency
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To scrutinize all energy-related planning applications to ensure that their location, scale, and visual, community and environmental impacts are acceptable and adhere to the energy hierarchy proposed below. Developments affecting sensitive/vulnerable landscapes throughout the South Yorkshire area will normally be resisted
Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) 8 (East Midlands – Policy 57) includes policies encouraging renewable energy development in appropriate locations. Currently both regions are revising these policies and are likely to allocate targets for new energy technologies across the regions plus a map-based plan for preferential siting – avoiding designated landscapes.
Taking each application on its own merits, Friends of the Peak District takes a:
Presumption against:
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Wind turbines in sensitive landscapes, areas of high landscape or wilderness value and/or vulnerability, except for small-scale supply in isolated areas where there is no less intrusive sustainable alternative.
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Fossil fuel provision: unless stringent efficiency of generation (e.g. combined heat and power, CHP), emission limits and other environmental issues can be addressed, new fossil fuel power plants are not acceptable. The preferred focus should be on reducing demand, not increasing supply.
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Other non-fossil fuel sources: this includes nuclear plant and incineration (‘waste-to-energy’) projects. Subject to the same criteria as above, with demand management being preferable to new supply.
Presumption for:
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Energy conservation and efficiency with preference given to explore options for demand management through conservation and efficiency.
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Photovoltaic/solar panels which maintain of the special character and natural beauty of the building or area.
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Hydro-electric power (HEP) schemes: micro-HEP schemes offer useful sources of localised electricity supply but should be judged carefully against potential ecological impacts, especially in areas with known nature conservation interest.
- Biogas: anaerobic digestion of farm and other wastes can give rise to methane which can be burnt to generate power. Subject to scale and siting issues, such schemes offer conversion (to CO2) or utilization of a very potent greenhouse gas.
All schemes should be subject to a balanced and wide-ranging sustainability/ environmental appraisal in addition to consideration of the visual and landscape impacts. For many types of schemes, appropriately time-limited permissions will be recommended.
