ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY FORUM FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
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Membership
Association of Scottish Community Councils | Douglas Murray |
Built Environment Forum Scotland | Terry Levinthal, Scottish Civic Trust |
Convention of Scottish Local Authorities | John Rennilson, Director of Planning and Development, Highland Council |
Convention of Scottish Local Authorities | Robert Nicol, Policy Officer |
Highlands and Islands Enterprise | Elaine Hanton (Head of Renewables)
(Claire Maclean for first meeting) |
Royal Town Planning Institute in Scotland | Graham U'ren (Director) |
Scottish Environment Protection Agency | Dr Campbell Gemmell (unavailable for first meeting) |
Scottish Environmental Link | Anne McCall (Planning Task Force Convener) |
Scottish Environmental Link | Bill Wright (Director, ruralScotland |
Scottish Natural Heritage | John Thomson (Director of Strategy and Operations) |
Scottish and Southern Energy | Keith MacLean (Head of Sustainable Development) |
Scottish Power | Alan Mortimer (Head of Renewables Policy) |
Scottish Renewables Forum | Maf Smith (Chief Executive. SRF) |
Scottish Renewables Forum | Chris Tomlinson (Head of Planning, BWEA) |
VisitScotland | Neil Black (Product Development Manager) |
Scottish Executive
Alan Denham (Chairman) | Assistant Chief Planner |
Wilson Malone | Head of Energy and Telecommunications Division |
John McNairney | Assistant Chief Planner Designate |
Graeme Purves | Principal Planner |
Neil Stewart | Head of Renewables and Consents Policy Unit |
Ian Mitchell (Secretary) | Planning Division |
FIRST MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY FORUM FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY: 15 DECEMBER 2004
Time: 13:45 for 14:00
Location: Conference Room G06, Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street, Glasgow G2 6AT
Agenda
Welcome and introductions
Remit of the Forum
Programme and timetable for forthcoming reviews of NPPG 6 and the Section 36 consents process
Open discussion on issues to be addressed by forthcoming reviews (a DRAFT specification for proposed research on the operation and effectiveness of NPPG 6 is attached as a starting point for discussions).
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY FORUM FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
NOTE OF FIRST MEETING: 15 DECEMBER 2004
Apologies were received from John Thomson (SNH) and Anne McCall (SEL). They were represented by Bill Band and Clifton Bain respectively.
The Freedom of Information implications of the Forum were outlined. It was confirmed that short minutes of each meeting would be prepared highlighting the key issues agreed and that these would be published on the Scottish Executive Website within 3 months of each meeting.
It was confirmed that the Forum would focus on the land use planning and locational aspects of renewable energy. It was agreed that this should also consider consents under both Sections 36 and 37 of the Electricity Act 1989.
The review of NPPG 6 would involve initial research into the operation and effectiveness of existing policies. It was hoped to commission this research in Spring 2005 and that it would report by the end of 2005. The review of NPPG 6 would commence on completion of the research with a draft revised Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) issued for consultation during 2006.
The Forum had the opportunity to comment on the proposed research specification. Members would also be approached directly as Stakeholders by the researchers and a presentation of the draft final report would be made to the Forum. The Forum's work would continue during the subsequent review of NPPG 6. Action: Forum members to let Ian Mitchell have any comments on the draft research specification by 4 March 2004.
The Executive is also looking at Section 36 processes. The intention is to tackle the various issues individually with the most urgent being taken forward first. It was hoped to issue a consultation paper on fees within the next few weeks.
Subsequent discussions acknowledged the need to review NPPG 6. It was generally accepted that the review process would take up to 2 years but a number of issues needed addressed sooner. Renewable energy targets were being met almost entirely by on-shore wind farms. This is causing various problems and it was felt that a wider strategic overview was needed from the Executive. The problems "on the ground" highlighted the interface between energy and planning policy and raise difficult issues for those involved in considering individual proposals, particularly in relation to number of applications in the pipeline, grid issues and the lack of a clear steer on how many on-shore wind farms are needed and how this should be provided for and what were considered the acceptable impacts on other economic activities. Such uncertainty is creating a "conflict culture" and leading to delays in the application process. This could undermine Scotland taking advantage of its renewable potential. The Executive agreed that it would be useful for members to outline their concerns in writing so that consideration could be given to what issues need addressed, and how and when this could be done. This would ensure that the Executive could address the "bigger picture" in tandem with its reviews of planning guidance and consents under the Electricity Act. Action: Forum members to let Ian Mitchell have "concern" papers by 31 January 2004.