Support

Representation ID: 6092

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: Mr David Lewis

I support this policy. The UK needs to upgrade its energy infrastructure to make it fit for purpose for a net zero future. Within Rutland we need an electricity infrastructure which enables all homes and businesses to have EV charging points, and facilitates the widespread deployment of solar panels on domestic homes and commercial buildings.

Support noted.

Object

Representation ID: 6298

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Mr Chris Read

I think this is too prescriptive and would not allow a planning committee to take proper account of objections or to refuse an inappropriate application.

Comments noted. Disagree. Policy CC10 is positively worded in accordance with national planning guidance whilst seeking to mitigate against harm caused by renewable energy infrastructure: Para 160 of the NPPF states that: ‘To help increase the use and supply of renewable and low carbon energy and heat, plans should: a) provide a positive strategy for energy from these sources, that maximises the potential for suitable development, and their future re-powering and life extension, while ensuring that adverse impacts are addressed appropriately (including cumulative landscape and visual impacts)’. The vital importance of energy infrastructure in the transition towards net zero is recognised in the policy.

Object

Representation ID: 6376

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Mr Roderick Morgan

Energy Infra needs long term, strategic, planning, communication and community engagement to ensure it is understood as part of the vision, and can proceed without triggering avoidable resistance. This requires RCC to take a strong role in planning, engaging and shaping these developments for the sub region, with regional and national govt.

Comments noted. The Local Plan, through its policies, seeks to deliver sustainable development and to support an appropriate level of growth in terms of scale and location. While the Local Plan has limited powers regarding the provision of energy infrastructure (including where this falls outside the scope of RCC as a Local Planning Authority), Policy CC10 does recognise and support the need for new and upgraded energy infrastructure as part of the transition towards net zero.

Object

Representation ID: 6456

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Mr Andrew Jenkins

The effect of increasing electricity pylon routes from wind and solar farms should be taken into account. Electricity transmission should be under ground wherever possible. As a principle offshore wind is the most efficient in terms of energy generation and environmental impact
Ground based solar should be restricted to small scale ( < 1 ha), brownfield sites and on buildings / over car parks. The adverse impact of battery storage facilities (fire and landscape impact} should be taken into account

Comments noted. Details of grid connections and other infrastructure from wind and solar farms would be included as part of the planning application submission. Some connections may, however, fall outside the control of the RCC as the Local Planning Authority and this is recognised in the wording of Policy CC10. An updated Renewable Energy SPD would consider issues such as grid connections and cumulative impacts of, for example, overhead wiring. Whilst offshore wind may be more efficient, RCC has declared a Climate Crisis and the Local Plan through its policies makes a legally required meaningful contribution to addressing this. If solar pv developments were restricted in size and only to brownfield land/on buildings/over carparks this would limit such development (after taking into account all of the other constraints that may apply) and would be a barrier to the Local Plan addressing the climate change crisis. Extra para dealing with battery storage suggested.

Support

Representation ID: 7227

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: Mr Harold Dermott

A much needed new policy as the way we generate, store and move electricity will change beyond recognition within the lifetime of this plan.

This policy needs a wider remit to ensure that all developing (but proven) technologies will future-proof Rutland’s energy supply. As we move to all-electric dwellings, energy storage, most easily done in the Local Planning context by storage batteries, becomes essential.

There are now hundreds of ways of storing electrical energy and more yet to be developed, but home battery storage is highly practical and available NOW. Grid level battery storage is also now available.

I would suggest that CC10 should be enhanced by stating that no solar farm development will be given planning permission without suitable grid level energy storage included either per location, or as part of a group of local solar farms.

Note also that domestic/commercial/industrial energy storage could be a single unit for the whole development, allowing communities to create an income from a community battery storage by storing energy from other local rooftop generators and selling on to the grid at periods of high demand. Alternatively, individual storage batteries in each house which can be combined to form
a virtual power plant.

Support noted. The policy is already has a wide remit by supporting ‘proposals that are necessary for, or form part of, the transition to a net zero carbon sub-region’… This would include any future technology proven during the life of the plan. Policy CC2 (as changed) includes battery storage as a contribution towards designing energy efficient buildings. Requiring all solar farms to incorporate battery storage would go beyond the scope of national planning guidance although this does (PPG para 32) recognise the important role that electricity storage has in enabling us to use energy more flexibly. Policy CC10 echoes the guidance in supporting the need for new and upgraded energy infrastructure as part of the transition towards net zero. Community battery storage, if put forward, would be supported by Policies CC2 (as changed) and CC10.

Object

Representation ID: 7674

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: South Luffenham Parish Council

Any impacts need to be fully understood and doesn’t undermine Rutland’s ability to attract tourists to the county which is one of the cornerstones of the Plan.

Comments noted. Policy CC10 recognises the importance of energy infrastructure towards achieving net zero by supporting such development whilst also seeking to mitigate against any harm (such as to landscape, biodiversity and historic assets that make Rutland attractive to tourists) that may be caused. Some renewable energy schemes may also include community benefits such as improved rights of way. The economical importance of tourism to Rutland is recognised in the Local Plan and the impact on tourism would be a material consideration when considering renewable energy schemes.

Support

Representation ID: 7734

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Anglian Water

We welcome policy CC10 as this supports Anglian Water’s wider energy infrastructure needs, our net zero ambitions and resilience in the face of climate change.

Support noted.

Object

Representation ID: 7887

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Ryhall Parish Council

Concerns with regard to battery life, waste and recycling. Presently not been properly addressed.

Support noted. Details of disposal/recycling of the batteries would be required under Policy CC1 and CC8. Given the value of such storage systems, there is likely to be a strong financial incentive for developers of commercial scale solar/wind farms to sell on materials for reuse and recycling.