Renewable Energy Non-Statutory Guidance
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PLANNING Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021 Non-statutory guidance: Policy 7 – Renewable Energy Contents How to use this guidance ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction and context ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Considerations for all renewable energy proposals ........................................................................................................................................................................ 3 Considerations for stand-alone renewable energy developments ............................................................................................................................................... 4 Hydro-electricity ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Energy from waste .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Considerations for renewable energy incorporated into other development .......................................................................................................................... 6 Heat networks ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Wind energy ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Biomass .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9 Solar power (heat and electricity) ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Heat pumps (air, ground, water) .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11 How to use this guidance This non-statutory guidance supports the -householder-permitted-development- are not covered by permitted development Cairngorms National Park Local rights-9781780456836/pages/8/. rights. For example, new housing Development Plan 2021 and applies to all developments incorporating air source heat planning applications within the This guidance should be used to during pumps as part of the development, as well Cairngorms National Park that the preparation and assessment of as those that are solely concerned with incorporate renewable energy systems. planning applications that include energy production such as hydro-electricity The Local Development Plan is available renewable energy systems that are not or energy from waste developments. via https://cairngorms.co.uk/planning- covered by permitted development rights, development/ and should be read to ensure that the requirements of Policy All development proposals must alongside this guidance. 7 are met. demonstrate how they have avoided adverse impacts on landscape, community, The guidance deals only with renewable Introduction and context natural and cultural heritage interests that energy proposals that require planning make up the special qualities of the Park. Policy 7 of the Local Development Plan permission. In some circumstances, when The following sections of this 2021 (overleaf) provides the framework added to existing domestic buildings or guidance provide advice on what for how consideration of renewable their garden ground some renewable needs to be considered for different energy systems should be incorporated energy systems are covered by permitted types of renewable energy system and into development proposals. A range of development rights and would not require provides links to other useful sources of renewable energy systems are identified in planning permission. However the rules information. the policy and this guidance. They should around what is and is not permitted not be viewed as an exhaustive list development are complex - information however, as new technologies may on which renewable energy systems have emerge during the lifetime of the Local domestic permitted development rights Development Plan. can be found on the Scottish Government website via The policy applies to all developments that https://www.gov.scot/publications/guidance incorporate renewable energy systems that 1 Policy 7 – Renewable Energy 7.2 Hydropower 7.4 Biomass 7.1 All renewable energy In addition, all hydropower proposals In addition, all biomass proposals must developments must have no detrimental impact on: include sufficient storage capacity to Proposals for renewable energy a) the water environment; minimise the need for delivery of the fuel to the site. generation will be considered favourably b) the recreational use of the water where: environment; 7.5 Energy from waste a) they contribute positively to the In addition, all waste energy proposals c) peat and soil along the length of the must: minimisation of climate change; scheme; and a) ensure they maximise the energy b) they complement the sustainability d) the passage of migratory fish. credentials of the development; produced, distributing the energy 7.3 Wind energy within the locality of the development; c) they conserve and enhance the special In addition, all wind energy proposals must and qualities of the Park, including wildness; adequately minimise: b) minimise the impact of transporting the d) they include appropriate means of a) all noise impacts from the development; waste material to and within the site. access and traffic management, including appropriate arrangements for b) all shadow flicker caused as a result of 7.6 Heat networks construction areas and compounds; the development; and The development of heat networks will be encouraged. Masterplans/development c) the impact of the development on all e) they adequately minimise all cumulative briefs for major developments should aviation interests. effects; and consider the feasibility of meeting heating 1 f) they adequately minimise detrimental Large-scale commercial wind turbines are requirements through a low carbon impacts on local air quality, particularly not compatible with the landscape district heating scheme. character or special landscape qualities of for proposals including combustion 1 Defined as more than one turbine and more than plants such as biomass. the National Park and will not be 30m in height supported. Planning conditions and/or financial bonds will be used where appropriate to secure decommissioning and site restoration. 2 Considerations for all renewable energy proposals Appropriately scaled1 and sited renewable More information about EIA can be found energy systems that do not conflict with Avoid on the NatureScot2 website via the special qualities of the Park are Assess the site and design the layout to avoid https://www.nature.scot/professional- sensitive natural, cultural, community and encouraged. They have an important role landscape features and interests. advice/planning-and- to play in decreasing carbon emissions development/environmental- from energy production, and so reducing assessment/environmental-impact- the contribution of the Park to climate assessment. change. In addition to using this guidance, cross All renewable energy proposals should Minimise reference to other Local Development follow the mitigation hierarchy (figure 1) For the remaining area, design the development to Plan policies and their supplementary from the outset. This should enable minimise negative effects on sensitive features. guidance (where present) will be required schemes to be designed to avoid, minimise to ensure that relevant issues are or mitigate adverse effects on natural, considered. For example, Policy 3 design cultural, community and landscape and placemaking, Policy 4 natural heritage, features and interests. Policy 5 landscape and Policy 9 cultural heritage may apply. Depending on the Mitigate/compensate Some renewable energy schemes may fall purpose of the renewables proposal, Where avoiding or minimising is not possible, off within the criteria that require detailed Policy 2 supporting economic growth may Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) set negative effects through on-site mitigation or, as a last resort, off-site compensation. also be relevant. and consents or licenses, as well as planning permission. Figure 1: mitigation hierarchy 1 As stated in Policy 7, large scale commercial wind of the Park. Large scale is defined in the Policy as 2 formerly known as Scottish Natural Heritage energy developments are not compatible