The human version (we wrote this, not the council)
This policy sets the framework for new large-scale renewable energy generation and storage, covering solar farms, wind, battery storage, bioenergy, hydrogen, heat networks and hydro energy. Proposals must follow national policy, avoid or mitigate significant harm, use land efficiently and take a whole-system approach linking generation with storage and wider energy infrastructure. Applicants should show proportionate local community benefits. A land use hierarchy applies: brownfield land first, then lower-grade farmland, with the best and most versatile agricultural land used only where no reasonable alternative exists.
An unofficial plain English summary. The official wording below is
what counts at examination; check it before you rely on anything here.
The text below is extracted automatically from the official PDF and may
contain artefacts; the PDF is authoritative.
s.
Policy ID.21
New Large Scale Renewable Energy Generation and Storage
This policy applies to large scale renewable and low-carbon energy generation and
associated energy storage, including solar farms, wind energy, battery storage,
bioenergy, hydrogen production, heat networks, hydro energy and carbon capture
enabled technologies. Requirements for specific types of renewable energy schemes
are set out in Policy ID.22.
A. Principles
Proposals will be supported where they:
1. Accord with national policy and avoid or appropriately mitigate significant
adverse impacts on the environment, amenity and local communities.
2. Demonstrate efficient land use, contribute to climate resilience and support the
transition to net zero.
3. Take account of relevant Local Plan policies on landscape sensitivity and visual
impact, biodiversity and green/blue infrastructure and the historic environment
and its setting.
4. Demonstrate a whole system approach including integration with storage, heat
networks and wider energy infrastructure.
5. Contribute positively to, and take account of, policies in respect of:
i. Landscape character and visual amenity
ii. Historic environment, including the setting of heritage assets
iii. Biodiversity net gain and ecological networks
iv. Green and Blue infrastructure
Applicants will be expected to demonstrate how proposals deliver proportionate local
community benefits, such as community investment, local energy sharing or
environmental enhancements, or provide clear justification where this is not
achievable.
B. Land Use Hierarchy
Large scale renewable energy development must follow the land use hierarchy:
1. Brownfield or previously developed land
2. Lower-Grade Agricultural Land (ALS grades 3b-5)
3. Best and Most Versatile (BMV) land (Grades 1,2,3a) only where no reasonable
alternatives exist and food production suitability is demonstrably limited.