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General Election 2010: Make the Countryside Count
Wednesday, 10 February 2010

CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND

 

 

GENERAL ELECTION 2010: MAKE THE COUNTRYSIDE COUNT

 

‘This year’s General Election is a critical moment for England’s countryside. The promises politicians make now will determine whether the countryside becomes a better, more beautiful and more inspirational place, or is condemned to death by a thousand cuts.’

 

 

This was the view of Ben Stafford, Head of Campaigns at CPRE’s National Office, today (Wednesday, February 10th 2010) as the charity launched its manifesto for the General Election expected in May.

 

CPRE’s manifesto follows the publication of its vision for the countryside in 2026 last year1, and sets out the key actions needed in the next five years to protect and improve England’s countryside. Every voter can play their part by challenging candidates to support CPRE’s agenda.

 

The manifesto calls for progress in three areas:

 

Twenty-first century planning: it’s time for politicians to stop rubbishing planning and recognise its potential – as the best and most democratic system we have to protect and enhance the countryside, promote urban renewal and improve people’s quality of life. The next Government should also back higher development targets for brownfield land and invest heavily in low carbon travel, including in often-neglected rural areas;

 

Protecting the human habitat: the next Government should champion National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The creation of the South Downs National Park should be the starting point for better protection of these crown jewels of our countryside, and they should be no-go areas for intrusive development. And politicians need to stand up for Green Belts, with no more nibbling away at their edges to allow urban sprawl, and support the creation of new areas of Green Belt;

 

Action on litter and fly-tipping: it’s time for political leadership to prevent us drowning under an ever-rising tide of rubbish. The next Government needs to recognise that we won’t solve our litter problem without a strong campaign to change people’s behaviour, and to support the bodies, like local councils, that clear our litter up. Politicians should also introduce a national deposit scheme for drinks containers, which would reduce litter, boost recycling and reward good behaviour by consumers.

 

Ben Stafford said:

 

 

Too often, the environment and the countryside seem to disappear off the political radar in the heat of a General Election campaign. But millions of people live, visit and work in the countryside, and millions are members of groups that want their leaders to protect precious areas of beauty and tranquillity from excessive development, neglect and mismanagement.

 

 

‘We can’t afford the countryside to go missing in this election. If it does, the chances are it won’t be a priority for whichever party forms the next Government. We all need to vote for the countryside in 2010, before it’s too late.’

 

 

NOTES

 

 

1. In May 2009, CPRE launched “2026 - A Vision for the Countryside”, setting out a positive and optimistic vision for the future of the beautiful English countryside in 2026, the charity’s centenary year. The Vision’s key issues include: affordable, high quality housing; urban regeneration; Green Belts; better planning; green energy; local food and farming; quality of life; light pollution and valuing the countryside as a national asset. 

 

For further information go to: www.cpre.org.uk/campaigns/environment/2026-a-vision-for-the-countryside. 

 

CPRE Cornwall - Editorial Comment:

 

For those who value and appreciate Cornwall’s most precious asset - its landscape and coast line - the next few months are critical, as there will be an opportunity to question all candidates standing for election to Parliament in the forthcoming General Election.  It also vital to impress on all candidates that commitments are commitments, and that if elected successful candidates must stand by those commitments.  Furthermore, it’s time that all politicians understand that they cannot continue to dictate to the electorate and that being representatives of their communities they must listen to the concerns of their constituents and do all that they can to protect local interests.

 

Ted Venn

10th February 2010 

 
CPRE Cornwall's Policy on Wind Turbines and Wind Farms
Sunday, 31 January 2010

CPRE Cornwall's Policy on Wind Turbines and Wind Farms 

 

Our Aim

 

CPRE Cornwall works to protect the countryside, coastline and communities of the county. 

 

Preface 

 

This is a non technical and without jargon look at the impact of wind farms and turbines on Cornwall and possible alternatives. It is aimed at all who are interested in Cornwall’s greatest asset, its unique and irreplaceable environment. It is hoped the statement will stimulate a debate by all on this important issue. 

 

Summary of the CPRE Cornwall Proposal 

 

The number and size of wind farm developments in Cornwall has already exceeded the ability of the landscape to successfully accommodate them.  Therefore, CPRE Cornwall puts forward a new, holistic approach in the county to address the problems of climate change without more wind farms and the destruction of the county’s special environment.  CPRE Cornwall suggests a policy founded on seven principles which are outlined below and then explained in more detail in section 4.

 

1.     A totally holistic approach to addressing climate change and not just focusing on one or two parts of it. This will require solutions and developments which must be truly sustainable (defined at the end of this document) and which work with, not against, the environment of the county.  

 

2.       An approach that has widespread public support through a comprehensive community engagement at all times and at all stages, including overseeing implementation and monitoring success.

 

3.       A far greater focus and priority to be given to conserving energy and managing demand thereby reducing the need to generate so much additional capacity. At National level this may include switching financial incentives away from wind farms to incentives to encourage improvements to be made to the vast amount of existing buildings in the county to reduce their energy consumption. 

 

4.       Adoption of policies which seek to harness free passive solar gain in all new building projects from the initial design and concept stages through to completion, to reduce in the long term the demands for additional energy from other sources 

 

5.       Adoption of policies which require new developments to supplement the use of passive solar gain with other onsite energy generation options, such as combined heat and power plants or geo-thermal  solutions and techniques, that reduce to the absolute minimum the need for additional energy to be generated offsite. 

 

6.       Action to harness other free means of generating energy particularly via the tide and waves subject to no adverse impact on the coastline. 

 

7.       Recognition that the time has come for a comprehensive assessment of the county’s landscape to be undertaken to identify any possible sites where a wind energy generation proposal might be successfully integrated into the countryside. 

 

1. Background. 

 

1.1 There can now be no doubt that climate change is happening. Many see it as the greatest threat to our countryside. While the scale of its potential impact is still being quantified and debated, it is clear that decisive action is needed now to reduce our CO2 emissions.  CPRE Cornwall supports the need for decisive action to address the consequences of climate change.         

 

1.2 While there is general consensus about the need for action, there is not the same agreement as to the nature and extent of that action. In terms of one of the major causes of CO2, energy generation, the Government’s policy has  been mainly to switch from traditional means of energy generation to renewable ones like harnessing wind power.  To date the focus has been on looking at different ways to produce more energy. The same attention and resources are not being focused on managing the demand for energy, and more importantly conserving energy. The management of demand along with energy conservation and energy generation are the three main variables relating to our energy use. Managing our demand for energy and the conservation of energy will have little, if any, adverse impact on the environment which is not the case with energy generation. 

 

1.3 In relation to energy other issues are also important. These include: the need for the country to be more self sustaining in terms of its energy generation; the need for security of supply; and the need for a greater variety of ways in which to generate electrical energy. Much of the attention remains aimed at discussions on energy generation by different means. The Government response has been to focus on certain policy responses in an individual way.  They have renewed the commitment to energy generation by renewable means and have ensured that Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs) have targets to achieve this. 

 

1.4 Harnessing wind power has generated a large number of planning applications for wind farms and turbines. A significant number of proposals have been built and approved in the county and further applications have been submitted.  The central spine of the county along the A30 corridor is now dominated by wind turbines. Wind farms have proved very unpopular locally. Some have been proposed and allowed to be built on environmentally sensitive sites, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As a consequence, Cornwall probably now has the largest concentrations of wind farms than in any other English county. Yet the number of planning applications to build additional farms continues to grow despite their unpopularity and cumulative impact.  

 

1.5 It is the cumulative impact of wind turbines and wind farms that is now a major concern in Cornwall. The environment of Cornwall is unique and highly appreciated. It attracts many visitors to the county and is a major economic strength. Yet it appears that the environment, a precious and finite resource, might be sacrificed to help deliver targets for renewable energy generation in the county. CPRE Cornwall is now of the opinion that irrevocable harm is being caused by wind farms and turbines to the county’s environment and asks the question – “Does it have to be like this”?  The answer to the question is the hands of the people of the County, the decision makers and those who seek to influence them. This Position Statement seeks to shape decisions and influence decision makers by setting out what local people want, and how our response to the climate change problem can be achieved whilst at the same time keeping Cornwall’s environment precious and safe.

 

2 The Policy Position 

 

National Policy Position 

 

2.1 This is, in part, set out nationally in the Government’s Planning Policy Statement 22 (PPS22) titled “Renewable Energy”. It primarily deals with wind turbines and wind farms. Without quoting large sections of it, in summary it encourages Councils and Local Planning Authorities not to put unnecessary hurdles in the way of applications for renewable energy generation proposals, such as wind turbines and wind farms; believing that to a degree all locations are capable of accommodating them. It seeks to encourage LPAs and Councils to help deliver them as they represent a major opportunity to offset the adverse effects of climate change. It advises that targets for renewable energy generation should be set at regional and local level. 

 

2.2 The cumulative impact of renewable energy proposals such as turbines and farms is cited as an issue planning authorities can take into account. Precisely at what stage the cumulative impact becomes an issue or problem to warrant refusal of new applications is not stated.  

 

2.3 As most wind turbines and wind farms are proposed to be built in the countryside, Planning Policy Statement 7 (PPS7) “Sustainable Development in Rural Areas” is of equal importance to PPS22. This sets out the Government’s intentions for the countryside. It seeks to protect the countryside for the sake of its intrinsic character and beauty. In nationally designated and protected landscapes such an AONB, major developments should not take place unless they are in the wider public interest. Major developments should, the Government states, only be granted where it can be demonstrated that such designated areas will not be compromised by the development, and any significant adverse effects on the qualities for which the area has been designated are clearly outweighed by the environmental, social and economic benefits. 

 

2.4 The Government has set national renewable energy targets.  They want 10% of UK electricity to be provided from renewable energy sources by 2010 and 20% by 2020, though it has to be remembered that renewable energy is not just wind energy! 

 

Regional Policy Position

 

2.5 This is a refinement of the national policy and target. For the South West it requires that by 2010 a minimum of 11%-15% of energy generated should be from renewable resources.   Recently it has been suggested that this target is some way from being achieved. However this might not be the fault of Cornwall! 

 

Cornwall Policy Position

 

2.6 Policy 7 of the Cornwall Structure Plan encourages the development of renewable energy but states any such developments must minimise any adverse local impacts. It sets a target of between 66-68MW of electricity to be provided from renewable resources by 2010.

 

3. What is happening in Cornwall? 

 

3.1 What is outlined in section 2 above is the classic “top down” approach to the formulation of planning policy on wind turbines and wind farms. It fails to take any real account of local views. Hence there is little if any, support for the current policy of approving new wind farms regardless of local opposition or adverse impact on the environment. Yet it is almost slavishly followed, implemented and delivered without question to the long term consequences on the environment. CPRE Cornwall says this has to change before it is too late. However, Cornwall Council has made it clear that it sees the debate as not do we have to have wind farms, but how do we accommodate them?  

 

3.2 The temptation appears to be to see the need to deliver on renewable energy and protect the countryside as mutually exclusive. Renewable energy proposals are seen as important for  job creating , improving the economy of Cornwall and helping to achieve the targets for producing a greater percentage of energy by renewable means. The problem with this is that it does not take account of the statutory duty of the council to protect the countryside. What is required is a policy approach which protects the countryside of Cornwall and at the same time shows how the county can deliver, in an innovative way, policies to address the problems of climate change.  

 

4. CPRE Cornwall‘s proposal in a little more detail 

 

A holistic approach to the whole subject

 

 4.1 Focusing on generating more energy by renewable means such as wind as the response to climate change is a fundamentally flawed policy approach and has led us to the current problem within the county. Cornwall is, for example, in a unique position given the potential to harness the sun’s energy and wave power to develop a more sympathetic response to climate change. Bringing together a series of smaller policies dealing with the issues of energy conservation, energy management as well as generation will deliver a better result in all respects for Cornwall’s environment and communities. This we call a holistic response or approach meaning all inclusive. The creation of a new unitary authority offers a golden opportunity to do this and there can be no reasons, no excuses, why it should not be done.  

 

4.2 Furthermore, the way in which we live in the county impacts on our energy needs and use. Therefore as part of the new inclusive approach to tackling climate change, we need to develop policies for maintaining and developing truly sustainable communities. In a rural area such as Cornwall this will be difficult. It will mean that decisions regarding such matters as the location and provision of schools, bus services, health facilities, social services, post offices, shops etc will need to be made not only on purely financial considerations but also wider sustainable ones. This will challenge the way decisions are made and the factors which are taken into account. But if we are serious about having sustainable communities then we need to ensure services are available and delivered locally. 

 

An approach that has widespread public support

 

 4.3 No policy approach is likely to ever have total public support. The communities of Cornwall need to be engaged and have ownership of any new approach. Undertaking the engagement process will be one of the major challenges. But when achieved it will make delivery of the policies easier.

 

Greater focus and priority to conserving energy and managing demand

 

4.4 This must be the starting point of addressing climate change. By reducing energy demands we reduce what we need to generate. Little has been done on this and it is not possible in this document to set out what can be achieved and how. The issue needs to be given the greatest priority especially in relation to new developments built in the county. 

 

4.5 Improving the energy performance of the vast existing building stock of the county needs to be achieved quickly. But for this to work financial assistance might need to be offered as well as access to technical advice. CPRE Cornwall strongly advocates the transfer of financial assistance given to those developing wind farms to enable grants to be given to those conserving energy and reducing the energy needs of buildings and communities.   

 

Harness free passive solar gain

 

4.6 Using the sun’s free energy passively has no environmental cost and can reduce future energy consumption and needs. Designing development specifically to harness the sun’s energy is not complicated and has already been done by some housing associations. It has great potential but expert help and advice to developers and their agents on the issue is required if that potential is to be harnessed. 

 

Reduce the need to generate energy off site

 

4.7 When solar gain cannot deliver all of the energy needed by new developments, CPRE Cornwall would like the county to lead the way in ensuring the energy needs of new developments are generated by some means on site. This is perfectly feasible especially for larger housing developments and might include active solar collection, solar hot water pumps, tapping thermal energy through to combined heat and power plants. This will help to minimise the number of off-site energy developments. 

 

Action to harness other free energy sources such as the tide and waves

 

4.8 When energy has to be generated within the region or county then CPRE Cornwall sees no reason why the county should not lead the way in the development and harnessing of tide and wave energy. It may also be possible to develop hydro-electric power in a few limited locations. The unique position and configuration of Cornwall should enable it to do this but greater focus is needed to deliver it. Harnessing tide and wave energy should have few environmental consequences but the impact of the recent Marine and Coastline Access Act will need careful consideration. We have a valuable start with the wave hub at Hayle which should be leading the way forward.

 

Comprehensive assessment of the landscape

 

4.9 If there remains a proven need for further wind turbines to be constructed in the county and this is supported by local communities and forms a part of a wide ranging approach to addressing climate change  then Cornwall CPRE requires:- 

 

  • The total number of new turbines to be agreed and kept to the minimum

 

  • That the turbines are located on sites that are not determined by developers but through a comprehensive assessment of the landscape of the county to assess possible suitable location in terms of minimising possible environmental impacts and safeguarding protected landscapes.  

 

Until the holistic policy approach outlined above is developed and the detailed landscape work is completed, CPRE Cornwall calls for a moratorium on approving any further wind farm proposals.

 

5. What next and by when? 

 

 

5.1 CPRE Cornwall calls for (and this list is not in any order of priority):-   

 

 

(1) An urgent independent analysis of the cumulative impact  of wind farms or wind turbines on the landscape and environment of Cornwall to be completed by  the third quarter of 2010;

 

(2) A full, public debate on Cornwall’s role in addressing climate change in the first half of 2010 based on realistic technical data; and

 

(3) Urgent action to develop an holistic approach to address the impacts of climate change where the county’s environment is not sacrificed as part of the solution to be undertaken through 2010 and be ready for consultation by spring 2011. 

 

5.2 Cornwall CPRE offers to take either a lead role or become a willing partner with others to achieve 1 to 3 above.  

 

Definition of sustainable development: 

 

“Sustainable development is development which in respect of all its elements, components and impacts, meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations to meet their own needs.” 

 

Richard Ward DipTP, MRTPI

Development and Planning Manager

CPRE Cornwall 

11th January, 2010 

 

 

Copyright CPRE Cornwall 2010

 

 

 

 
Aim and Role of CPRE Cornwall
Sunday, 31 January 2010

Aim and Role of CPRE Cornwall  

1 Introduction 

 

1.1 The purpose of the Position Statement is to set out the aim and role of CPRE Cornwall and detail ways in which it will undertake its important work. 

 

2. Our Aim 

 

2.1 The aim of CPRE Cornwall is to protect Cornwall’s environment. This it does by protecting the various parts that make up our environment including the countryside, landscape, coastline, towns, villages, hamlets, buildings, and communities that make Cornwall unique. 

 

3. Our Role 

 

3.1 Our environment is constantly changing. Some change might be desirable some are not. Change in the environment is, in the main, controlled by the planning system. Decisions made by the planning system have a significant and long lasting impact on Cornwall’s environment. Therefore in order to protect Cornwall’s environment we have to be actively involved in the planning system to influence planning decisions to change or manage it. 

 

4. How do we undertake our role? 

 

4.1 Planning decisions that lead to changes to the environment are make nationally, regionally and locally. Changes can be major and minor in scale. It is CPRE Cornwall’s role to influence at all levels of Government all who make decisions on the environment. This will include decisions on:- 

 

·         strategic planning documents;

·         planning statements;

·         planning policies;

·         forward planning documents produced regionally and locally such as the Local Development Framework;

·         the many individual planning applications made in Cornwall each year; and

·         planning appeals, Inquiries and Enquiries 

 

4.2 Occasionally decisions are made that CPRE Cornwall considers are wrong or flawed because the proper processes and procedures were not followed. In these cases CPRE Cornwall might use the legal system to remedy any flaws when it considers that the decisions made are wrong and will have a significant and adverse impact on the environment. 

 

4.3 Part of CPRE Cornwall’s role is also to ensure local communities, town and parish councils, groups and individuals are fully aware of how the planning system works so they too can influence decisions made on their behalf. Only by doing this can others seek to successfully engage in the planning system and influence decisions.  

 

5. Who do we seek to influence and work with?  

 

5.1 Many individuals, groups, and consultees are involved in making planning decisions. The following is an example of some of those we seek to influence and work with:-  

 

·         MP’s who help shape national planning decisions and can influence regional planning

·         CPRE National and Regional Offices;

·         national bodies such as English Heritage, Natural England, The National Trust

·         statutory consultees like the Environment Agency and Highway Authority

·         Local Planning Authorities

·         Councils

·         Town and Parish Council’s

·         individuals

·         groups set up to fight major planning proposals 

 

6. How do we influence planning decisions?   

 

6.1 This involves examining a wide variety of draft planning documents, at all stages, nationally, regionally and locally and commenting on them to try and influence their final content. The aim is to ensure the final version of the documents adequately protects Cornwall’s environment and delivers what Cornwall and its communities need rather than what others want it to have.  

 

6.2   Forward planning documents are some of the most important plans that come from the current planning system, as they shape the future of the environment over a long period of time. Forward planning documents are also some of the most complicated documents to understand, and the system and procedures followed to produce them is complicated and time consuming. Therefore few in the local communities of Cornwall actively engage in their production despite their long term impact. CPRE Cornwall will help communities with such documents in the future. It will help explain the document without planning jargon; it will give technical advice, help draft responses and work closely with others.  Again the focus will be to protect Cornwall’s’ environment and ensure local needs are put first and at the heart of decision making. 

 

6.3 All planning applications will be monitored by CPRE Cornwall; those that threaten the environment will continue be examined and where appropriate a submission will be made to the decision making authority. When decisions are made by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) on proposals which it thinks are wrong, CPRE Cornwall will, if appropriate and where possible, challenge those decisions. If decisions are made by the LPA which it agrees with and the applicant appeals against the decision it will use its expertise to support the LPA decision. In the case of Planning Inquiries it will if appropriate seek to justify its position and comments.

 

Richard Ward DipTP, MRTPI

Planning and Development Manager - CPRE Cornwall

11th January, 2010

 

Copyright CPRE Cornwall 2010

 

 
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