Welsh Planning minister Carl Sargeant is encouraging planning authorities to make sure that green energy policies are included in local development plans.
Under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, local planning authorities in Wales must prepare a local development plan (LDP) for their area which sets out objectives in relation to development and land use as well as the general policies to be used to implement those objectives.
In a letter to chief planning officers, Mr Sargeant has expressed that he is disappointed that although planning authorities have carried out renewable energy assessments as part of the LDP evidence base, it has not been put into local policies in relation to certain renewable energy schemes.
Mr Sargeant said: "The designation of such areas would show leadership at the local level, give certainty to the renewable energy industry in making investment decisions, and - through the LDP consultation process - would give communities a say as to where renewable energy developments should be located.”
He added: “It is imperative that the planning system identifies and protects areas with renewable energy generation potential for the long term, irrespective of any short-term decisions on financial support and regulatory regimes which are being taken by the UK Government."
