snc energy efficiency & renewable energy spd part 3 –...

Appendices SNC Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy SPD

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Part 3 – Appendices to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy SPD Appendices Glossary 2 Appendix A - Permitted Development Rights for Micro-renewable Installations

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Appendix B - Applying for Planning Permission 14 Appendix C - Landscape Characterisation within South Northamptonshire 21 Appendix D – Planning Policies in South Northamptonshire Local Plan & West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy relating to Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

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Appendix E – Example of How Would a Carbon Neutral Policy work? Case Study: Reigate and Banstead Borough Council

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Glossary of terms relating to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Aerobic Digestion – Biological treatment of biodegradable organic waste in the presence of oxygen, producing a residue suitable for use as a soil improver Anaerobic Digestion – Organic matter broken down by bacteria in the absence of air, producing a gas (methane) and solid (digestate). The by-products can be useful, for example biogas can be used in a furnace, gas engine, turbine or gas-powered vehicles, and digestates can be re-used on farms as a fertiliser. Biodegradable waster - waste that is capable of breaking down naturally, such as food, garden waste and paper. Biodiversity – The whole variety of life encompassing all genetics, species and ecosystem variation including plants and animals. Biomass – Living matter within an environmental area, for example plant material, vegetation, or agricultural waste used as a fuel or energy source. Character - A term relating to Conservation Areas or Listed Buildings, but also to the appearance of any rural or urban location in terms of its landscape or the layout of streets and open spaces, often giving places their own distinct identity. Climate Change - Long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, wind and all other aspects of the Earth's climate. Often regarded as a result of human activity and fossil fuel consumption. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) - The combined production of heat, usually in the form of steam, and power, usually in the form of electricity. Cumulative Impact - A number of developments in a locality or a continuous activity over time that together may have an increased impact on the environment, local community or economy. Distributed Power - Generic term for any power supply located near the point where the power is used. Distributed generation, also called on-site generation, dispersed generation, embedded generation, decentralized generation, decentralized energy or distributed energy, generates electricity from many small energy sources. Distributed energy resource (DER) systems are small-scale power generation technologies (typically in the range of 3kW to 10,000kW) used to provide an alternative to or an enhancement of the traditional electric power system. The usual problem with distributed generators are their high costs. Small-scale power generation technologies, such as solar arrays or fuel cells, that create energy on-site to reduce or replace reliance on traditional utility-supplied energy consumption. Distributed Systems - Systems that are installed at or near the location where the electricity is used, as opposed to central systems that supply electricity to grids. A residential photovoltaic system is a distributed system.


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Energy Crops - A 'carbon neutral' energy source contributing to renewable energy. For example, short rotation coppice or willow plantation uses carbon dioxide to grow plants. Crops may then be burned to create energy - hence carbon neutral. Energy from Waste - The conversion of waste into a useable form of energy, often heat or electricity. Energy Saving Trust (EST) - Non-profit organisation, funded both by the Government and the private sector set up to address the damaging effects of climate change. Its aim is to cut emissions of carbon dioxide by promoting the sustainable and efficient use of energy. English Heritage - Government advisors with responsibility for all aspects of protecting and promoting the historic environment. English Heritage is responsible for advising the Government on the listing of historic buildings. Environment Agency - A Government body that aims to prevent or minimise the effects of pollution on the environment and issues permits to monitor and control activities that handle or produce waste. It also provides up-to-date information on waste management matters and deals with other matters such as water issues including flood protection advice. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and Environmental Statement (EA) - Applicants for certain types of development, usually more significant schemes, are required to submit an "environmental statement" accompanying a planning application. This evaluates the likely environmental impacts of the development, together with an assessment of how the severity of the impacts could be reduced. Flood plain - Generally low-lying areas adjacent to a watercourse, tidal lengths of a river or the sea, where water flows in times of flood or would flow but for the presence of flood defences. Flood Risk Assessment - An assessment of the likelihood of flooding in a particular area so that development needs and mitigation measures can be carefully considered. Fossil Fuels (a non-renewable fuel) - Carbon-rich fuel (coal, oil and natural gas) formed from the remains of ancient animals and plants. Their combustion is considered to contribute to the 'greenhouse effect'. Gasification and Pyrolysis (Advanced Thermal Treatment) - A means of recovering energy from waste, known as advanced thermal treatment. Waste is heated at high temperatures and a useable gas is produced. General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) - A set of regulations made by the Government which grants planning permission for specified limited or minor forms of development. Green corridor/ wildlife corridor - Green corridors can link housing areas to the national cycle network, town and city centres, places of employment and community facilities. They help to promote environmentally sustainable forms of transport such


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as walking and cycling within urban areas and can also act as vital linkages for wildlife dispersal between wetlands and the countryside. Greenhouse Effect/ Global Warming - The gradual heating of the Earth due to greenhouse gases, leading to climate change and rising sea levels. Renewable energy, energy efficient buildings and sustainable travel are examples of ways to help avert the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse Gases - Naturally occurring examples include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. Some human activities increase these gases, including fossil fuel combustion within motor vehicles and some power stations. Groundwater - An important part of the natural water cycle present underground, within strata known as aquifers. Habitat - An area of nature conservation interest. Highway - A publicly maintained road, together with footways and verges. Highways Agency - An executive agency of the Department for Transport. The Highways Agency is responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the strategic road network of England. Historic Parks and Gardens - A park or garden of special historic interest. Graded I (highest quality), II* or II. Designated by English Heritage. Infill development - The development of a relatively small gap between existing buildings. Infrastructure – Basic services necessary for development to take place, for example, roads, electricity, sewerage, water, education and health facilities. Landfill Gas - The gas generated in any landfill site accepting biodegradable material. It consists of a mixture of gases, mainly methane and carbon dioxide. Landscape Appraisal - A method of assessing appearance and essential characteristics of a landscape. Landscape Character - The distinct and recognisable pattern of elements that occur consistently in a particular type of landscape. It reflects particular combinations of geology, landform, soils, vegetation, land use and human settlement. Layout - The way buildings, routes and open spaces are placed or laid out on the ground in relation to each other. Leachate (usually associated with landfill) - Water coming into contact with decomposing waste materials and which has drawn pollutants out of those materials into solution thereby contaminating the water.

Listed Building - A building of special architectural or historic interest. Listed buildings are graded I, II* or II with grade I being the highest. Listing includes the


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interior as well as the exterior of the building, and any buildings or permanent structures (eg. wells within its curtilage). English Heritage is responsible for designating buildings for listing in England.

Listed Building Consent - Consent required for the demolition, in whole or in part of a listed building, or for any works of alteration or extension that would affect the character of the building.

Local Landscape Designation (for example, 'Area of High Landscape Value') - Non-statutory and locally designated areas outside the national landscape designations, which are considered by the local planning authority to be of particular landscape value to the local area.

Local Listing (or Building of Local Importance) - Locally important building valued for contribution to local scene or for local historical situations but not meriting listed building status.

Local Nature Reserve - Non-statutory habitats of local significance designated by local authorities where protection and public understanding of nature conservation is encouraged. (See also Site of Nature Conservation Importance or Site of Biological Interest).

Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) - An overall partnership of people that brings together organisations from the public, private, community and voluntary sector within a local authority area, with the objective of improving people's quality of life.

Management Plan - A plan for the detailed, sometimes day-to-day management or conservation of important areas, including nature conservation, archaeology, or historic sites, in order to maintain and enhance those special features or qualities.

Master Plan - A type of planning brief outlining the preferred usage of land and the overall approach to the layout of a developer. To provide detailed guidance for subsequent planning applications.

Material Consideration - A matter that should be taken into account in deciding a planning application or on an appeal against a planning decision. Micro-generation – Very small scale power generation schemes, typically providing energy to a single household.

Natural England - Natural England is the Government's statutory adviser on landscape in England, with responsibility for landscape designations such as National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Heritage Coasts. Natural England is also concerned with England's future landscapes, with involvement in planning policy and a range of environmental land management projects.

Nature Conservation - The protection, management and promotion of wildlife habitat for the benefit of wild species, as well as the communities that use and enjoy them.


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Overshadowing - The effect of a development or building on the amount of natural light presently enjoyed by a neighbouring property, resulting in a shadow being cast over that neighbouring property.

Passive Solar Heating - A solar heating system using a simple solar collector, building materials, or an architectural design to capture and store the sun's heat. Very simple examples include a garden greenhouse, or a south-facing window in a dwelling.

Permitted Development (or Permitted Development Rights) - Permission to carry out certain limited forms of development without the need to make an application to a local planning authority, as granted under the terms of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order.

Photovoltaics/ photovoltaic cells - Conversion of solar radiation (the sun's rays) to electricity by the effect of photons (tiny packets of light) on the electrons in a solar cell. For example, a solar-powered car or a calculator.

Protected Species - Plants and animal species afforded protection under certain Acts and Regulations.

Renewable Energy - Renewable energy is energy flows that occur naturally and repeatedly in the environment, for example from the wind, water flow, tides or the sun. Energy from waste is not regarded as a renewable energy as it is not capable of being renewed by the natural ecological cycle.

Scheduled Ancient Monument - Nationally important monuments, usually archaeological remains, that enjoy greater protection against inappropriate development through the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

Setting - The place or way in which something is set, for example the position or surroundings of a listed building.

Shadow Flicker - The on-and-off flickering effect of a shadow caused when the sun passes behind the rotor of a wind turbine.

Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) or Site of Biological Interest (SBI) - Locally important sites of nature conservation adopted by local authorities for planning purposes. (See also Local Nature Reserve).

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) - A site identified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000) as an area of special interest by reason of any of its flora, fauna, geological or physiographical features (basically plants, animals, and natural features relating to the Earth's structure).

Special Area Of Conservation (SAC) - A site designated under the European Community Habitats Directive, to protect internationally important natural habitats and species.

Special Protection Areas (SPA) - Sites classified under the European Community Directive on Wild Birds to protect internationally important bird species.


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Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) - A Supplementary Planning Document is a Local Development Document that may cover a range of issues, thematic or site specific, and provides further detail of policies and proposals in a 'parent' Development Plan Document.

Thermal mass can be defined as – the ability of parts of a dwelling with a high specific heat capacity to store excess heat within a building and release it at a later time.

Topography - A description (or visual representation on a map) of the shape of the land, for example, contours or changes in the height of land above sea level.

Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) - An assessment of the effects upon the surrounding area by traffic as a result of a development, such as increased traffic flows that may require highway improvements.

Wildlife Corridor - Strips of land (for example, along a hedgerow) conserved and managed for wildlife, usually linking more extensive wildlife habitats.

Zero-carbon Home - Over a year, the net carbon emissions from all energy use in the home are zero. This includes energy use from cooking, washing and electronic entertainment appliances as well as space heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and hot water.


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Appendix A – Permitted Development Rights for Micro-renewable Installations Permitted Development Some renewable energy developments may not require planning permission depending upon their size and siting and whether they are only to be installed for a short period (e.g. demonstration projects). You should contact the Authority in the early stages of your project and we will advise on whether planning permission is needed. Where planning permission is not needed other consents may be needed, such as Listed Building consent from the Authority or consents from other organisations, and statutory requirements such as in relation to the protection of wildlife and archaeology will still apply. Even if a proposal does not require planning permission the guidance in this document can still be used to ensure that the scheme is well designed. Owners of Listed Buildings and properties in Conservation Areas are advised that: Planning permission WILL be required for any renewable energy device mounted on the roof of a building within a conservation area. The installation of renewable energy devices attached or connected to Listed Buildings WILL require listed building consent. Wind Turbines Wind turbine on a dwelling house Will it result in the presence of more than one wind turbine?

Yes – planning permission needed

Is there already an air source heat pump on the same building?


Will the highest part of the wind turbine (including blades) either— (i)protrude more than three metres above the highest part of the roof (excluding the chimney); or (ii)exceed more than 15 metres in height, whichever is the lesser?


Will the distance between the distance between ground level and the lowest part of any blade of the wind turbine be less than five metres?


Will any part of the wind turbine (including blades) be within five metres of any boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse?


Will the swept area of any blade of the wind turbine exceed 3.8 square metres?


Will the wind turbine be installed on safeguarded land?


Will the wind turbine be installed on a site designated as a Scheduled Monument?


Will the wind turbine be installed within the curtilage of a building which is a Listed Building?


If the wind turbine is within a Conservation Area Yes – planning permission needed


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will it be installed on a wall or roof slope of the detached dwellinghouse? If the wind turbine is within a Conservation Area, will the wind turbine be installed on a wall or roof slope of a building that fronts a highway?


Will the wind turbine be installed within an SSSI?


CONDITIONS: (a)the blades of the wind turbine shall be made of non reflective materials; (b)the wind turbine shall, so far as practicable, be sited so as to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and on the amenity of the area; (c)the wind turbine when no longer needed for micro-generation shall be removed as soon as reasonably practicable. Will the flue exceed the highest part of the roof by 1 metre or more?


If the land is within a Conservation Area or World Heritage Site will it be installed on a wall or roof slope forming the principal or side elevation of the dwellinghouse and visible from a highway?


Wind turbine on a curtilage building Will it result in the presence of more than one wind turbine?


Is the wind turbine in addition to an air source heat pump on the same building?


Will the highest part of the wind turbine (including blades) either— (i)protrude more than three metres above the highest part of the roof (excluding the chimney); or (ii)exceed more than 15 metres in height, whichever is the lesser?


Will the distance between the distance between ground level and the lowest part of any blade of the wind turbine be less than five metres?


Will any part of the wind turbine (including blades) be positioned within five metres of any boundary of the curtilage of the property?


Will the swept area of any blade of the wind turbine exceed 3.8 square metres?


Will the wind turbine be installed on safeguarded land?


Will the wind turbine be installed on a site designated as a Scheduled Monument?


Will the wind turbine be installed within the curtilage of a Listed Building?


If the wind turbine is located within a Conservation Area, will it be installed on a wall or roof slope of a building, within the curtilage of the property, which fronts a highway?


Will the wind turbine be installed within an SSSI?



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CONDITIONS: (a)the blades of the wind turbine shall be made of non reflective materials; (b)the wind turbine shall, so far as practicable, be sited so as to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and on the amenity of the area; and (c)the wind turbine when no longer needed for micro-generation shall be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.

Stand Alone Wind Turbine within the Curtilage of a dwelling house Will it result in the presence of more than one stand alone wind turbine within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse?


Will the stand alone wind turbine be installed on the dwellinghouse or on a building within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse?


Is an air source heat pump also installed on the dwellinghouse or within its curtilage?


Will the highest part of the stand alone wind turbine exceed 11.1 metres in height?


Will the distance between ground level and the lowest part of any blade of the stand alone wind turbine be less than five metres?


Will any part of the stand alone wind turbine (including blades) be located in a position which is less than a distance equivalent to the overall height (including blades) of the stand alone wind turbine plus 10% of its height when measured from any point along the boundary of the curtilage?


Will the swept area of any blade of the stand alone wind turbine exceed 3.8 square metres?


Will the stand alone wind turbine be installed on safeguarded land?


Will the stand alone wind turbine be installed on a site designated as a Scheduled Monument?


Will the stand alone wind turbine be installed within the curtilage of a Listed Building?


If the land is within a Conservation area, will the stand alone wind turbine be installed so that it is nearer to any highway which bounds the curtilage than any part of the existing dwellinghouse?


Will the stand alone wind turbine be installed on land within an SSSI?


CONDITIONS: (a)the blades of the stand alone wind turbine shall be made of non reflective materials; (b)the stand alone wind turbine shall, so far as practicable, be sited so as to minimise its effect on the amenity of the area; and (c)the stand alone wind turbine when no longer needed for micro-generation shall be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.

Biomass


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Flue forming part of a biomass heating system on a dwellinghouse Will the flue exceed the highest part of the roof by 1 metre or more?


If the land is within a Conservation Area or World Heritage Site will it be installed on a wall or roof slope forming the principal or side elevation of the dwellinghouse?


Combined heat and power system Flue forming part of a combined heat and power system on a dwellinghouse Will the flue exceed the highest part of the roof by 1 metre or more?


If the land is within a Conservation Area or World Heritage Site will it be installed on a wall or roof slope forming the principal or side elevation of the dwellinghouse and fronting a highway?


Solar PV or Solar Water Heating System on a dwelling house Will it protrude more than 200 millimetres from the plane of the roof or wall?


Will it be higher than the highest part of the roof (excluding chimney)?


If the land is within a Conservation Area or a World Heritage Site will it be on a wall forming the principal or side elevation of the dwellinghouse and visible from a highway?


Will it be installed on a site designated as a scheduled monument?


Is the dwelling house a Listed Building?


Solar PV or Solar Water Heating System on a curtilage building Will it protrude more than 200 millimetres from the plane of the roof or wall?


If the land is within a Conservation Area or World Heritage Site will it be on a wall and visible from a highway?


Is the dwelling house a Listed Building?


CONDITIONS 1. Equipment shall be sited to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area. 2. Equipment no longer needed for micro-generation shall be removed as soon as reasonably practicable

Stand Alone Solar within the Curtilage of a dwelling house Will it result in more than one standalone solar?


Will it exceed 4 metres in height above ground Yes – planning permission needed


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level? If in a Conservation Area or World Heritage Site, will it be nearer to any highway which bounds the curtilage than the existing dwellinghouse?


Will it be sited within 5 metres of the curtilage boundary?


Is the dwellinghouse a Listed Building?


Will it be within a site designated as a Scheduled Monument?


Will the surface area of the panels exceed 9 square metres?


Will any dimension of the array (including any housing) exceed 3 metres?


CONDITIONS (a) equipment shall be sited to minimise its effect on the amenity of the area. (b)equipment no longer needed for micro-generation shall be removed as soon as reasonably practicable

Heat Pumps Ground Source Heat Pump within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse

No – Planning permission not required

Water Source Heat Pump within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse

No – Planning permission not required

Air Source Heat Pump within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse Will it result in the installation of more than one standalone solar?


In the case of the installation of an air source heat pump, a wind turbine is installed on the same building or within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse or block of flats?


Will it result in the installation of a stand alone turbine within the curtilage of the dwelling house?


Will the volume of the air source heat pump’s outdoor compressor unit (including any housing) exceed 0.6 cubic metres?


Will any part of the air source heat pump be installed within one metre of the boundary of the property?


Will the air source heat pump be installed on a pitched roof?


Will the air source heat pump be installed on a flat roof where it would be within one metre of the external edge of that roof?


Will the air source heat pump be installed on a site designated as a Scheduled Monument?



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Will the air source heat pump be installed on a building or on land within the curtilage of a Listed Building?


If the air source heat pump is to be situated on land within a Conservation Area or which is a World Heritage Site the air source heat pump will it be installed on a wall or a roof which fronts a highway?


If the air source heat pump is to be situated on land within a Conservation Area or which is a World Heritage Site will the air source heat pump be installed so that it is nearer to any highway which bounds the curtilage than the part of the dwellinghouse which is nearest to that highway?


Will the air source heat pump be installed on a wall of a dwellinghouse that wall fronts a highway?


Will the air source heat pump be installed on any part of that wall which is above the level of the ground storey?


CONDITIONS: (a)the air source heat pump shall be used solely for heating purposes; (b)the air source heat pump shall, so far as practicable, be sited so as to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area; and (c)the air source heat pump when no longer needed for micro-generation shall be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.

DEFINITIONS Dwellinghouse: includes a building which consists wholly of flats. Highway: includes any public footpath, bridleway or private road where members of the public can pass and repass.

This information is not a formal decision of the Council under Section 192 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for a Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed development.

All micro-renewable energy installations must meet micro-generation certification standards. See http://www.microgenerationcertification.org/ for more information on these.

Always check with your local authority to find out if you require planning permission or not, the information on this page is for guidance only. You are also advised to contact the Building Control Department regarding the installation of microrenewables under the Building Regulations. If your property is a Listed Building or within or adjacent to a Conservation Area you should also contact a Conservation Officer within the Planning Policy and Heritage Section of the Council.


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Appendix B – APPLYING FOR PLANNING PERMISSION Pre-application discussion Applicants are advised to contact the Authority and arrange a pre-application discussion with the relevant Planning Officer prior to submitting a planning application. This will help to ensure that any issues are resolved at the outset and that the planning application process will run smoothly. Design and Access Statement All applications must be accompanied by a Design and Access Statement and the Authority has produced an Advice Note on preparing these. Environmental Impact Assessment The Authority will decide on a case by case basis whether an Environmental Impact Assessment is required, however it is likely that most domestic scale developments will not require this. Some renewable energy development proposals require an EIA under Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)(England and Wales) Regulations 1999 (known as the ‘EIA Regulations’). These regulations implement the EU’s Environmental Impact Assessment Directive 85/337/EEC as amended by 97/11/EC and 2003/35/EC. EIA may be required for any renewable energy development falling under Schedule 2 of the Regulations. If an Environmental Impact Assessment is required for a renewable energy technology the following information will be required: 1. Technical Information

o Full technical details of the turbines (including viability and construction details including the proposed foundations).

o Ancillary equipment/structures (if proposed). o Decommissioning proposals.

2. Site Infrastructure o Details of permanent and temporary access requirements, including

earthworks, for construction, maintenance and eventual commissioning.

o Details of proposed landscaping.

3. Ecological Assessment o Classification and evaluation of the natural habitat and species

including: § A habitat survey – describing in detail the communities present

on the site and highlighting areas of habitat with potentially high nature conservation value.

§ Identification of protected and priority habitats and species, including those of local importance.

§ Migratory routes of any protected or priority bird species. § Identification of habitats and species within the general locality.


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o Surveys eg. vantage point surveys to determine impact of wind energy developments on the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits SPD.

o Agricultural context. o Hydrological impact. o Flood Risk assessment which should consider all types of flood risk,

including fluvial, groundwater, pluvial, sewers and artificial sources. o Determination of the ecological value within the area potentially

affected by the proposal. o Carbon emissions from disturbance of any peat. o Include an evaluation of the potential for delivery of Green

Infrastructure networks and habitat connectivity. o Include a Geological/ geodiversity assessment. o Evaluations of impacts and the scope of mitigation of those impacts.

4. Landscape Impact Assessment o This should include the classification and evaluation of the

landscape setting, including quality, value, and scale of the landscape. Key issues that the local landscape sensitivity study will need to consider are: Landscape character – does the proposal respect and fit with the key characteristics of the landscape character area within which it is sited?

o Landscape capacity – what is the capacity of the landscape character area/type to accommodate the scale of renewable energy development proposed?

o Cumulative landscape impacts – has the landscape character area/type reached the limit of its capacity when existing or other planned renewable energy developments are taken into account?

o Mitigation – to what extent does the proposal help reinforce the local landscape character and enhance the condition of the landscape? To what extent have the impacts of the proposals been reduced?

5. Visual Assessment

o Viewpoint analysis covering both long and short range visibility and including a photomontage or videomontage. Wherever possible analysis should be provided using ‘blimps’ that more accurately reflect any potential visual impact on landscapes.

o Determination of the zone of theoretical visibility of the proposed development.

o Evaluation of the visual impact and the scope for mitigation of those impacts.

o Details of the location, visual impact and the restoration of borrow pits.

o Evaluations of impacts should include consideration of alternative siting of individual turbines, colouring, borrow pits and ancillary equipment.

6. Noise Assessment


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o To take into account the character and sensitivities of the area (including the prevailing winds and land form), and the individual and cumulative effects of the noise sources - both mechanical and aerodynamic.

o Assessments should include details of how any noise generated from the blades of turbines is affected by local topography.

o Noise monitoring locations used for the purpose of the assessment should be agreed with the local planning authority prior to any measurements being undertaken. Any data obtained and used for the assessment should be provided in accordance with the aforementioned standards for the purposes of informing the planning application decision making process, and as requested by the local planning authority.

7. Shadow Flicker Assessment

o An assessment of potential shadow flicker and shadow throw throughout the year for all dwellings within a 1000m radius of the proposed location of each wind turbine.

8. Built and Cultural Heritage Assessment

o A full assessment of any known or potential impacts on archaeological sites, Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas, historic gardens or designated landscapes or other designated or undesignated historic assets.

9. Tourism and Countryside Access Assessment

o An assessment of any visual and amenity impacts on tourist and recreation facilities or tourism and countryside access, eg. footpaths.

10. Public Safety

o A risk assessment of the proposed development taking into account the proximity of surrounding development and risk of injury to humans and animals through equipment failure, lightning strike & shadows, flicker and glinting or ice throw.

o An assessment of any road safety including both capacity implications and possible effects of visual distraction.

11. Electro-Magnetic Interference (Aviation and Communication)

o Consultations must take place with the British Aviation Authority and then if necessary the British Aviation Authority. Ministry of defence, and the Office of Communication. Details of possible adverse effects and appropriate measures to alleviate effects should be submitted.

12. Cumulative Impact Assessment

o Information on the cumulative effects of the proposal may be required.

13. Wind Regime


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o Proposals must therefore be accompanied by a statement indicating how the development will achieve a net environmental gain.

14. Grid Network

o Details of the grid infrastructure near the site.

15. Community Consultation o Results of consultation with details of the extent and methods used.

16. Pollution and Flood Risk o Details on how to prevent pollution during the construction phase of

a development. o Flood defence consents as required. o Any proposals within the channel of a main river, and/or within 9

metres of the opt of the bank of (or from the landward toe of any raised flood defences along main river), will require an application to the Environment Agency for Flood Defence Consent. Likewise, any proposals that may affect the flow within an ordinary watercourse will require such Consent application from the relevant Lead Local Flood Authority. The operator will need to hold a WAMITAB or ESA qualification to operate an anaerobic digestion site. The operator should apply for an Environmental Permit as early as possible. The operator may need to apply for a site specific, bespoke permit if the standard rules permit is not suitable for the site. Information relating to Environmental Permits can be found at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/permitting/32318.aspx and http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/142643.aspx

17. Other Issues o Local employment / business considerations. o Associated community benefits. o The need for a forestry design and management plan if appropriate. o Decommissioning statement.

Habitats Regulations Assessment There may be instances where renewable energy developments might impact upon sites protected under the Habitats Directive. Where there are potential impacts the Authority will be required, as the competent authority, to carry out a Habitats Regulations Assessment. Community Projects The social benefits to the community of community renewable energy projects will be a consideration of any planning application. Non-domestic applications For proposals which are not associated with providing energy for one particular site (such as in the case of community projects), applicants will be expected to demonstrate:


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o The process involved in selecting the site; o The reasons for selecting the site; and o Alternative sites and/or technologies that have been discounted and the reasoning for this. The process of selecting a site should take into account the planning considerations set out in section 5 of this document.

Listed Buildings Proposals on or within the curtilage of Listed Buildings will require Listed Building consent. This is independent of whether the proposal requires planning permission, and some proposals may need to obtain both consents. Consideration of applications by Department of Trade and Industry Proposals for renewable energy development above 50MW will be considered by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. An application for a micro-wind turbine could usefully include the following information: o Details of the design, colour and dimensions of the turbine (including length of rotor blades);

o Height above ground or building; o Plans showing position on ground or building; o Brief technical specification such as power, vibration and noise output which are normally provided by the supplier;

o An assessment of the development’s landscape impact and to assist this a photo montage could usefully demonstrate how the turbine will appear in the landscape;

o Connection details to the building or grid; o Details of the construction process; o Details of average wind speed (minimum 12 months data) and further information to fully demonstrate that the proposed wind turbine would actually deliver the wind output claimed:

o Power of the turbine (in KW), estimated energy generation (KWh/yr) and anticipated efficiency;

o Details of what the energy will be used for; o Details of proximity to dwellings; o For turbines related to a specific building, site or community, details of existing energy efficiency measures;

o For large wind turbines further information will be required, including topple zones, radar interference, microwave transmission buffers, archaeological assessment.

An application for a biomass, anaerobic digestion or CHP plan could usefully include the following information: o Maps, diagrams and drawings including floor plans and elevations showing the location and design of the plant, flue and storage facilities and the general location of fuel sources;

o The thermal capacity of the proposed boiler, and if possible its make and model;

o If the boiler is covered by the Clean Air Act, confirmation that it will be an approved applicance;

o Details of the technology to be employed and the type of fuel to be used;


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o In the case of large schemes, a Zone of Visual Impact map of the chimney, and photomontages of the plant from selected viewpoints;

o Details of vehicular access and movements to and from the plant and estimated vehicle movements, and principal transport routes for fuel supply;

o Landscaping provisions; o Details of noise and other emissions and visual impact assessment; o Site management measures during construction; o Details of connection to the Grid or distribution network; o Details of operation and management of installations; o Details of preliminary discussions with the Environment Agency in respect of the likelihood of meeting the IPPC requirements;

o A method statement detailing how the plant will be constructed and operated (this may include all or some of the above);

o Details of the power from the installation and anticipated efficiency; o Details of what the energy will be used for; o For schemes related to a specific building, site or community, details of existing energy efficiency measures;

o Details of estimated capacity – boiler specification. An application for PV or solar water heating system could usefully include the following information: o Details of the design of the panels/ installation; o Elevations to show proposed location; o Photographs of the existing built environment; o Details of the roof mounting arrangement and methods of fixing, if applicable;

o Indicative drawings of the installation in place; o A photomontage of the proposed installation could be useful, particularly if the scheme is in a Conservation Area or on a Listed Building;

o Details of the power from the installation including the estimated energy generation (kWh/yr), number of panels or tubes and the total area;

o Connection details to the building or grid if relevant; o A brief description of the visual amenity issues and the building materials; o Details of the power from the installation and anticipated efficiency; o Details of what the energy will be used for; o Details of existing energy efficiency measures in the building. An application for a ground or air source heat pump could usefully include the following information: o Details of the technology to be used; o Details of the location of the pipes; o Details of the number and location of the boreholes/ trenches; o Details of the ground restoration works; o Plan showing any nearby tree locations and their potential rooting zones; o Details of archaeological assessment where applicable; o Details of the power from the installation (in KW and KWh/yr) and anticipated efficiency;

o Details of how the pump will be connected to the building; o Elevations if ASHP to show location and design; o Visual impact assessment; o Noise report (should be available from the manufacturer);


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o Details of what the energy will be used for; o Details of existing energy efficiency measures. An application for a micro-hydropower unit could usefully include the following information: o Maps, diagrams and drawings showing the location and design of intake, pipeline, turbine house, tailrace (channel which returns the water to the river) and security fencing and lighting for urban schemes;

o Photomontage of intake (weir and associated infrastructure); o Elevations and size of turbine; o Grid connection works, including transformer and transmission lines; o Provision for fish passes (where required); o Details of vehicular access and vehicular movement; o Landscaping provisions; o Site management measures during the construction phase; o A method statement detailing how the development will be constructed and operated (this may include all or some of the above);

o Details of the power from the installation (in KW & KWh/yr) and anticipated efficiency;

o Details of what the energy will be used for; o For schemes related to a specific building, site or community, details of existing energy efficiency measures.


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Appendix C – Landscape Characterisation within South Northamptonshire Suitability of Renewable Technology in Landscape Character Areas Within South Northamptonshire there are 2 landscape character assessments that have been completed and that will be considered within the determination of any planning application for renewable development: 1. The Countryside Agency’s Countryside Character Volume 5: East Midlands and Volume 6: East of England (1999) Countryside Commission (now Natural England);

2. The River Nene Regional Park produced an Environmental Character Assessment for the county in 2005 which identifies the main landscape character areas and describes their key characteristics. This study offers an evidence base against which planning applications for large-scale development may be considered.

Proposals for renewable technology installations within these character areas will need to give consideration to the impact of the proposed development on the Landscape Character. Typically the Landscape within South Northamptonshire is rural with picturesque villages where large-scale development will detract from the Landscape Character. A large proportion of villages are Conservation Areas with many Listed Buildings, and here micro-renewables will need to be located carefully to ensure that installations preserves or enhances the character or setting of its location. Such issues will need to be addressed within the Design and Access Statement submitted with the planning application for a proposed development. 1. The Countryside Agency’s Countryside Character Volume 5: East Midlands and Volume 6: East of England (1999) Countryside Commission (now Natural England) Landscape Type Key Landscape

Characteristics Northamptonshire Vales

o Gentle clay ridges and valleys with little woodland and strong patterns of Tudor and parliamentary enclosure;

o Distinctive river valleys of Soar, Welland and Nene with flat floodplains and gravel terraces;

o Large towns of Leicester and Northampton dominate much of the landscape;

o Frequent small towns and large villages, often characterised by red brick building;

o Prominent parks and country houses; o Frequent imposing, spired churches; o Attractive stone buildings in older village centres and eastern towns and villages;

o Great diversity of landscape and settlement pattern with many sub units, eg. Nene Valley and Welland Valley.

Yardley-Whittlewood Ridge

o Broad plateau with shallow soils elevated above adjacent vales;


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o A strong historic landscape character, largely due to the continued presence of extensive areas of ancient woodland;

o Mixed land uses of pasture, arable and woodland; o Generally medium-sized fields with full hedges and hedgerow trees, mainly oak;

o Low density of settlement and consequently few local roads; cut through by major north-south canal, rail and road routes.

Northampton Uplands

o Rounded, undulating hills with many long, low ridgelines; o Abundant and prominent ridge and furrow with frequent deserted and shrunken settlements;

o Sparse settlement of nucleated villages on hilltops or valley heads;

o Mixed farming: open arable contrasts with pasture enclosed by good hedges with frequent hedgerow trees;

o Wide views from the edges and across the ridge tops; o Straight, wide, enclosure roads, often following ridges; o Little woodland, but prominent coverts on higher ground; o Ironstone and limestone older buildings with a transition across the area. Brick buildings in some villages;

o Great variety of landform with distinctive local features like Hemplow Hills;

o Large and nationally-important historic parks.

Cotswolds o Defined but its underlying geology: a dramatic scarp rising above adjacent lowlands with steep combes, scarp foot villages and beech woodlands;

o Rolling, open, high woodland plateaux moulded by physical and human influences with arable and large blocks of woodland, divided up by small, narrow valleys;

o Incised landscapes with deep wide valleys; o Flat, open dip slope landscape with extensive arable farmland;

o Prominent outliers within the lowlands; o Honey-coloured Cotswold stone in walls, houses and churches;

o Attractive stone villages with a unit of design and materials.

2. The River Nene Regional Park Environmental Character Assessment 2005 Landscape Type

Key Landscape Characteristics

Boulder Clay Landscapes 6 Undulating Claylands: 6a Tove Catchment

o Boulder Clay deposits overlie almost the entire landscape, revealing little surface expression of the varying underlying solid geology;

o alluvium conspicuous along the tributaries and upper reaches of rivers that drain the area;

o broad, elevated undulating landscape that is more elevated to the west shelving eastwards and drained by numerous broad, gentle convex sloped valleys;


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6b Hackleton Claylands

o wide panoramic views across elevated areas, though the undulating landform creates more contained and intimate areas;

o a productive rural landscape with a equal balance of arable and pastoral farming with the former predominating on more elevated land and often larger in scale, although arable land can be found along valley bottoms where sand and gravel deposits are located;

o improved and semi improved pastures located along narrow floodplains and sloping land bordering them, often more intricate and smaller in scale;

o large woodlands are not a characteristic feature, although woodland in surrounding landscape types, small deciduous copses and hedgerow trees can together create the sense of a well-wooded character;

o concentrations of small woodlands apparent around designed parklands;

o hedgerows are often low and well clipped emphasising the undulating character of the landscape with scattered hedgerow Oak and Ash trees;

o post and wire fencing frequently reinforces gappy hedgerows, in particular where pasture is the current use;

o numerous villages located throughout the landscape with varying morphology;

o settlement beyond the villages include scattered Enclosure age farmsteads and isolated dwellings, located at the end of short access tracks and adjacent to the roadside;

o a long settled landscape with evidence dating back to the Bronze Age and evidence of Roman occupation;

o many historic remnants evocative of the medieval period, including rural villages, moated sites, and extensive areas of ridge and furrow;

o historic parklands provide important landscape features along with remnants of the industrial age such as disused railways and canals;

o minor roads located on interfluves avoiding river valleys and emphasising the natural grain of the landscape; main routes take a direct course from the north west to south east; and

o recreational opportunities are diverse, including listed manors and parkland estates, canal trips, llama trekking and numerous national trails.


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8 Low Wooded Clay Ridge: 8a Whittlewood Plateau 8b Salcey Forest and Yardley Chase

o Boulder Clay deposits overlie almost the entire landscape, obscuring variations in the underlying solid geology;

o broad, elevated plateau with shallow soils, elevated above adjacent lowland landscapes;

o extensive areas of ancient woodland form a backdrop to a foreground of farmland;

o strong historic character derived from the landscape’s ancient woodlands and Forest villages;

o mixed land use of pasture and arable farmland extending between wooded areas;

o medium sized fields defined by full hedges containing numerous hedgerow trees; and

o low density of settlement and sparse road patterns.

Limestone Landscapes 10. Limestone Plateau: 10a Croughton, Aynho and Farthinghoe Plateau

o Limestone geology evident in local buildings, structures and walls, and as stones in ploughed fields;

o gently undulating and elevated open plateau; o expansive long distance views and wide panoramas across the open plateau;

o predominance of arable land with isolated areas of improved pasture and setaside land;

o limited areas of calcareous grassland; o sparse woodland cover comprising small deciduous and occasionally coniferous farm woodlands and shelterbelts limiting the sense of exposure locally;

o fields predominantly large and medium to large, and a mix of both geometric and regular in shape;

o small, and small to medium sized fields conspicuous surrounding settlements and farmsteads;

o distinctive network of dry stone walls enclosing geometric fields on the Collyweston Limestone Plateau;

o elsewhere, fields generally enclosed by hedgerows with mature hedgerow trees;

o sparsely settled beyond isolated farmsteads and a small number of villages;

o communication routes principally limited to direct, minor roads connecting small settlements and individual dwellings;

o vertical elements gain visual prominence in the flat, open landscape; and

o conspicuous use of plateau landscape for military airfields.

Lower Jurassic Geology Landscapes 13 Undulating Hills and Valleys: 13a Middleton

o Extensive undulating and productive rural landscape stretching across the west of the county;

o cohesive and recognisable unity of character despite scale and extent;

o variations in the underlying geology influence local landform; o watercourses form part of three principal river catchments of the Cherwell, Nene and Welland;

o reservoirs and man made lakes are conspicuous features in the local landscape displaying a wide range of size, function and age;


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Cheney & Woodford Halse 13b Bugbrooke and Daventry

o navigable canals are an important visual component of the landscape and linear wildlife and recreational asset;

o mixed farming predominates across the landscape although local land use and field patterns are strongly influenced by changes in landform;

o numerous small deciduous woodlands, copses and shelterbelts punctuate the rural landscape;

o hedgerow trees contribute to the perception of a well treed landscape and combine with other landscape and landform features to create an intimate, human scale landscape;

o strong historic character underlies this deeply rural landscape; o numerous villages linked by winding country lanes contribute to rural character; and

o communication routes and urban influences and infrastructure have, where present, eroded local rural landscape character where present.

16 Low Pastoral Hills 16a Boddington Hills

o Low lying hills distinctive within the surroundings of the Broad Unwooded Vale;

o limited standing and flowing water evident; o Lias group Mudstones form broad hills rising to 170m ASL with no drift geology evident in the landscape;

o long distance views apparent from the elevated hills into the neighbouring county;

o general predominance of improved pastures with pockets of calcareous grassland, although evidence of arable farmland to the west and east;

o small scale pastoral land and larger scale arable fields enclosed by hedgerows and post and wire fencing;

o woodland limited across the landscape, though numerous mature hedgerow trees are evident;

o settlement very limited, generally consisting of occasional small villages and isolated farms and dwellings;

o network of minor country lanes linking settlement within the landscape to surrounding villages; and

o recreational opportunities confined to the network of public rights of way.

Riverine Landscapes 17 River Valley Floodplains: 17a River Cherwell Floodplain 17b River Tove Floodplain

o Valleys principally underlain by Lias Group mudstone geology, with alluvium along tributaries that drain each of the floodplains, together with areas of sand and gravel;

o rivers follow a central course within the floodplain landscape; o flat floodplain landscapes that vary in width, surrounded by gently rising valley sides;

o wide views over the predominantly open landscape, contained by woodland and rising landform of surrounding landscape types;

o a productive agricultural landscape with varying cover of both arable and pastoral land, with a predominance of arable in the valleys of the Cherwell and Tove;

o areas of neutral and calcareous grassland evident, often


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closely associated with areas of improved pasture; o woodland cover is generally sparse, although limited small linear copses are evident along the course of rivers, railways and canals;

o concentrations of small woodlands and large parkland trees apparent around designed parklands;

o hedgerows often gappy and grown out, with reinforcing post and wire fences frequent, in particular around pastoral fields;

o limited semi-mature and mature hedgerow and river edge trees provide important vertical elements;

o settlement extremely limited within the floodplain, confined to small village settlements and isolated farms and dwellings;

o significant urban influences on floodplain landscapes from surrounding large scale settlements and associated infrastructure elements;

o few heritage features evident, confined primarily to fields of ridge and furrow. The outer edges of parkland landscapes are evident in many valleys;

o roads across the floodplains vary from minor country lanes crossing the floodplain to busier ‘A’ roads, and on occasions motorways; and

o recreational opportunities confined mainly to a network of footpaths, including numerous sections of national trails and leisure parks such as Wicksteed Park and Cosgrove Park.

19 Broad Unwooded Vale: 19a Boddington Vale Farmland

o Extensive landscape defining the western boundary of the county;

o Expansive long distance and panoramic views across the open vale landscape;

o landscape drained by numerous small watercourses that flow within shallow undulations into the rivers and streams on the county boundary;

o minor undulations gain prominence in an otherwise broad flat landscape;

o Predominance of Lias Group Charmouth Mudstone and Blue Lias formation geology, which extends north and westwards and underlies much of the lowland landscapes of Dunsmore and Feldon, and the Leicestershire Vale.

o woodland cover extremely limited, with tree cover confined mainly to hedgerow trees and overgrown hedgerows;

o productive arable and pastoral farmland in generally equal proportions in fields of varying size;

o hedgerows generally low and well clipped, although limited sections show evidence of decline with reinforcing post and wire fences;

o sparsely settled with small villages and isolated farms and dwellings prevalent, although large urban areas are evident in distant views;

o significant communication routes evident, including motorways and major ‘A’ roads;

o infrastructure elements such as telecommunication stations


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provide significant vertical elements in an otherwise flat landscape; and

o recreational opportunities generally limited despite the close proximity of large urban areas.


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APPENDIX E - Planning Policies in South Northamptonshire Local Plan & West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy relating to Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

South Northamptonshire Local Plan 1997

The relevant policies in the Local Plan are: POLICY G3 PLANNING PERMISSION WILL NORMALLY BE GRANTED WHERE THE DEVELOPMENT: A. IS COMPATIBLE IN TERMS OF TYPE, SCALE, SITING, DESIGN AND

MATERIALS WITH THE EXISTING CHARACTER OF THE LOCALITY; B. POSSESSES A SATISFACTORY MEANS OF ACCESS AND PROVIDES

ADEQUATE PARKING, SERVICING AND TURNING FACILITIES, INCLUDING FOR THE DISABLED;

C. DOES NOT RESULT IN THE LOSS OF UNDEVELOPED LAND WHICH IN THE OPINION OF THE LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITY IS OF PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE TO THE FORM AND CHARACTER OF THE SETTLEMENT;

D. WILL NOT UNACCEPTABLY HARM THE AMENITIES OF ANY NEIGHBOURING PROPERTIES;

E. IS NEITHER OF A HAZARDOUS NATURE NOR LIKELY TO CAUSE PROBLEMS OF POLLUTION, NOISE, VIBRATION, SMELL, SMOKE, DISCHARGE OR FUMES;

F. DOES NOT UNDULY AFFECT THE EXISTING OR PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION NETWORK;

G. CAN BE PROVIDED WITH ACCESS TO THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC SERVICES WITHOUT CAUSING UNACCEPTABLE VISUAL INTRUSION INTO THE SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE;

H. DOES NOT RESULT IN THE IRREVERSIBLE LOSS OF THE BEST AND MOST VERSATILE AGRICULTURAL LAND;

I. IS SYMPATHETIC TO THE QUALITY AND CHARACTER OF ANY BUILDING LISTED AS BEING OF SPECIAL ARCHITECTURAL OR HISTORIC IMPORTANCE OR ITS SETTING;

J. DOES NOT HARM THE CHARACTER, APPEARANCE OR SETTING OF A CONSERVATION AREA;

K. WILL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT SITES OF NATURE CONSERVATION VALUE OR SITES OF GEOLOGICAL, GEOMORPHOLOGICAL OR ARCHAEOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE;

L. INCORPORATES SUITABLE LANDSCAPE TREATMENT AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PLANNING OF THE DEVELOPMENT;

M. PROVIDES FOR SATISFACTORY FOUL AND SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE;

N. IS NOT ON OR IN PROXIMITY TO LAND CONTAINING KNOWN MINERAL RESOURCES, OR, IF KNOWN RESOURCES EXIST, WITHOUT FIRST CONSIDERING THE NEED TO SAFEGUARD THESE RESOURCES.

O. IS, WHERE APPROPRIATE, ACCESSIBLE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT.


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P. HAS FULL REGARD TO THE NEEDS OF SECURITY AND CRIME PREVENTION

Q. ALL PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPMENT WILL BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THIS POLICY.

POLICY EV1 PROPOSALS FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT WILL BE EXPECTED TO PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS OF DESIGN; i. EXISTING SITE CHARACTERISTICS INCLUDING LANDSCAPE

FEATURES AND LEVELS; ii. THE RELATIONSHIP WITH ADJOINING LAND AND BUILDINGS; iii. THE SCALE, DENSITY, LAYOUT, HEIGHT, MASSING, LANDSCAPE

AND MATERIALS IN RELATION TO THE SITE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS;

iv. THE APPEARANCE AND TREATMENT OF THE SPACES BETWEEN AND AROUND BUILDINGS.

West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy

The submission version of the Joint Core Strategy places emphasis on the need for renewable energy in order to minimise climate change. Objective 1 of the Strategy refers to Climate Change stating:

Objective 1 - Climate Change To minimise demand for resources and mitigate and adapt to climate change, by: • Promoting sustainable design and construction in all new development; • Ensuring strategic development allocations are located and designed so as

to be resilient to future climate change and risk of flooding; • Encouraging renewable energy production in appropriate locations; and • Ensuring new development promotes the use of sustainable travel modes. Policy S10 refers to the need for new development to meet overarching goals of sustainability including the improvement of energy efficiency and maximising the generation of energy needs for new development from decentralised and renewable or low carbon sources. Policy S11 specifically relates to renewable energy.

POLICY S10 - SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES

DEVELOPMENT WILL: o ACHIEVE THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

INCORPORATING SAFETY AND SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS AND A STRONG SENSE OF PLACE;

o BE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ADAPT TO CHANGES OF USE AND A

CHANGING CLIMATE OVER ITS LIFETIME; MAKE USE OF SUSTAINABLY SOURCED MATERIALS;


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o MINIMISE RESOURCE DEMAND AND THE GENERATION OF WASTE AND MAXIMISE OPPORTUNITIES FOR REUSE AND RECYCLING;

o BE LOCATED WHERE SERVICES AND FACILITIES CAN BE EASILY ACCESSED BY WALKING, CYCLING OR PUBLIC TRANSPORT;

o MAXIMISE USE OF SOLAR GAIN, PASSIVE HEATING AND COOLING, NATURAL LIGHT AND VENTILATION USING SITE LAYOUT AND BUILDING DESIGN;

o MAXIMISE THE GENERATION OF ITS ENERGY NEEDS FROM DECENTRALISED AND RENEWABLE OR LOW CARBON SOURCES;

O MAXIMISE WATER EFFICIENCY AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE;

O PROTECT, CONSERVE AND ENHANCE NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE ASSETS;

O PROMOTE THE CREATION OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORKS, ENHANCE BIODIVERSITY AND REDUCE THE FRAGMENTATION OF HABITATS; AND

O MINIMISE POLLUTION FROM NOISE, AIR AND RUN OFF. POLICY S11 - RENEWABLE ENERGY MAJOR DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN EXTENSIONS SHOULD CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCTIONS IN CARBON EMISSIONS AND ADAPT TO THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES (POLICY S10), SO AS TO MINIMISE ENERGY USING SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, MAXIMISE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND THE PROVISION OF LOW CARBON AND RENEWABLE ENERGY, INCLUDING WHERE FEASIBLE AND APPROPRIATE, PROVISION OF DECENTRALISED ENERGY. PROPOSALS SHOULD BE SENSITIVELY LOCATED AND DESIGNED TO MINIMISE POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS ON PEOPLE, THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, BIODIVERSITY, HISTORIC ASSETS AND SHOULD MITIGATE POLLUTION. IN ADDITION, THE LOCATION OF WIND ENERGY PROPOSALS SHOULD HAVE NO SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACT ON AMENITY, LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AND ACCESS AND PROVIDE FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE FACILITIES AND REINSTATEMENT AT THE END OF OPERATIONS. ALL NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS (INCLUDING MIXED USE) ARE REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE A MINIMUM OF LEVEL 4 STANDARD IN THE CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES AND TO ACHIEVE THE ZERO CARBON STANDARD FROM 2016 OR NATIONAL EQUIVALENT STANDARD, INCLUDING WHERE APPROPRIATE A CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY OR PRIVATE ENERGY FUNDS. ALL NEW NON-RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS OVER 500M2 GROSS INTERNAL FLOORSPACE ARE REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE A MINIMUM RATING OF AT LEAST BREEAM (BRE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT


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METHOD) VERY GOOD STANDARD (OR EQUIVALENT) OR ANY FUTURE NATIONAL EQUIVALENT ZERO CARBON STANDARD FROM 2019. THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL APPLY UNLESS IT CAN BE DEMONSTRATED THAT THEY WOULD MAKE THE DEVELOPMENT UNVIABLE.


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Appendix F - APPENDIX E – Example of How Would a Carbon Neutral Policy work? Case Study: Reigate and Banstead Borough Council

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council have undertaken work on the introduction of the Balance Trading which makes use of the carbon neutral policy and have set out the following steps:

The Sustainable Development Commission pointed the way to the

development of a new policy instrument, recommending action to:

‘offset any increase in CO2 emissions or water consumption in the new Growth Areas ...with a commensurate reduction ....in existing homes in the same region'

Balance Trading is a new policy instrument which would enable the net carbon emissions from new housing development to be offset by providing for S106/ tariff funded investment in energy installations and the application of renewable technologies to retro-fit nearby neighbourhoods. This investment would deliver the carbon emission reductions equal to the gap between the standard achieved in the new development and Zero Carbon CSH Level 6.

This principle of linking the resources going into the expanding house building programme to reducing emissions from the existing housing stock is being developed into pilot practice by an Energy Services Company which is undertaking an R & D project to develop Balance Trading. The Balance Trading option would be particularly appropriate on smaller sites with limited scope for renewables.

The Borough will need to be satisfied that housing development proposals

submitted for planning approval are designed to meet the standard set – be it CfSH Level 3/4/5 and/or a renewables obligation. The Borough will negotiate with the developer for a contribution to fund the balance between the standard achieved by the design and zero carbon. Where the Borough is satisfied that the renewables requirement cannot be achieved at reasonable cost it may then offer an additional element of Balance Trading to enable the scheme to go forward. The volume of carbon emitted by a new housing development scheme will be calculated. An allowance will be made for the amount of energy generated on site by the maximum feasible application of renewables, verified by independent low carbon consultants. The remaining amount - the balance - of carbon would be saved off-site by improving existing homes in the local area, funded by a portion of the developer contribution for the scheme. The Energy Company involved estimates that for each new dwelling it would be possible to use the balance to fully insulate three homes. Each of these households would see their energy bills cut by an average of £160 per annum. Alternatively the balance could be used to subsidise the installation of renewables in conjunction with Warm Front grant funded insulation for low income families, or provide a financial incentive for ‘able to pay‘ households to install renewables.


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It also will require the establishment of the creation of the Reigate and Banstead Local Carbon Reduction Fund. This work involves appraising outline schemes to assess the carbon emissions reductions needed to make them carbon neutral and calculating the costs of the installations (a combination of insulation and renewables) needed to offset the emissions.

The Borough will adopt a pricing structure which would demonstrate what the

developer would need to contribute per dwelling to deliver the reduction in carbon emissions necessary in existing dwellings to enable a scheme to meet the carbon neutral policy requirement. This would vary with the type of installations funded and the type of house/neighbourhood which is the target of the investment. A financial model is being developed and applied to a range of proposals in different areas of the Borough in order to establish indicative costs for the required offsetting.

The implementation of the policy will also require the creation of a Local

Carbon Reduction Fund, with clearly accountable management procedures to ensure that the Balance Trading funds are invested appropriately in existing housing areas. The investment of the developer contributions would be transparent and would be integrated with other local carbon reduction investment programmes to ensure additionality.

snc energy efficiency & renewable energy spd part 3 –...

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