Shaping our future
The Community Futures initiative described above will help to build community capacity on planning, but addressing two specific issues would further help: • Extending Planning Aid so that it can provide technical support, particularly on assessing the impact of community renewables schemes and the kinds of information that is required in planning applications, would be of value. Many projects never get off the ground due to a lack of assistance in the development stages; and • Local authorities are required to have “an evidence-based understanding of the local feasibility and potential for renewable and low-carbon technologies, including microgeneration, to supply new development in their area”35 but only 47 per cent can demonstrate this. There is a clear case for capacity building among planning professionals on community renewable energy projects so that unfamiliarity does not block progress. 36
Third sector members of the Task Force recommendations 4 – 6 Planning applications should be able to recognise and, as a result, simplify the permission process for third sector applications where there is evidence of widespread community support and community benefit. Extend Planning Aid so that it can support technical input on renewable energy applications. Local authorities should make training for renewable energy deployment compulsory for development control officers in planning departments, as well as promoting a better understanding of it among elected councillors. The Centre for Sustainable Energy has run a DECC-approved course since 2004, which could be better promoted.37
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