Spatial Policies
16. The role of the development plan process should be to ensure that an area's renewable energy potential is realised in the context of a long-term and inclusive vision for the future and that proposals are guided to appropriate locations, taking account of other planning priorities.
17. In the short term, onshore wind power is likely to make the most substantial contribution towards meeting renewable targets. Scotland has considerable potential to accommodate this technology in the landscape although, increasingly, careful consideration will need to be given to other issues, including the need to address cumulative impacts. The development plan process should be used to guide developers to broad areas of search where wind farm proposals are likely to be considered appropriate taking account of the renewable energy resources in the area, natural heritage interests and existing, planned and possible future grid availability. Plans should also identify those areas where wind farm developments should be avoided in line with the policies set out in this SPP.
18. It is a matter for individual planning authorities to consider whether to adopt a similar approach for technologies other than onshore wind or to use broad criteria to guide future development. The latter approach may also, exceptionally, be adopted for onshore wind farms where there is limited potential within an area and it is more appropriate for a developer to demonstrate the viability and acceptability of a particular location for development.