F.A.O. - Ceri Jones

F.A.O. - Ceri Jones

Planning DepartmentDate - 27/8/2015

Pembrokeshire County Council

County Hall

Haverfordwest

Pembrokeshire

SA61 1TP

Dear Mr Ceri Jones

Letter of Support for Cwm Arian Renewable Energy – Planning Application for single 500kw turbine. Reference: 15/0305/PA

Our rural communities need to harvest and profit from their natural resources to survive in the 21stCentury and with this project the local community stands to gain access to thousands of pounds of non‐grant dependent funding by harnessing the power of the wind.

Welsh Government has set out bold ambitions for community energy development in Wales in recent years, not the least of which is the Energy Wales: A Low Carbon Transition[1](March 2012). This policy guidance seeks to ensure Wales’ communities benefit from energy development economically and socially. In this vein, the Minister for Natural Resources sent out a letter to all Local Authority Cabinet Members (with responsibility for Planning) on 18 December 2013[2] that it is Welsh Government’s policy to support community driven renewable energy projects “… where benefits from the project area are returned to the host community”.

The letter is unequivocal in explaining that the economic and job creation benefits associated with such projects should be fully factored into, and given weight in, the decision making process on new development proposals. It is in this respect that we write to you to seek your assurance that your authority is complying with this advice, particularly in the context of the recently published vision for local energy generation in Wales Green Growth Wales: Local Energy[3]. Such a vision may not be realised if communities, especially in rural areas, are inhibited from delivering local energy generation schemes because of the lack of consideration of the sustainability benefits such developments can deliver.

Perhaps you are aware that CEW was established in 2012 to support communities across Wales in delivering sustainable energy projects. We have a number of community members now from across Wales that are seeking to develop such schemes. It is fair to say that the planning process for such schemes is not an easy one, and several have been refused planning permission in recent years. Whilst we acknowledge that planning authorities are attempting to balance often conflicting land-use issues in the determination process, it is increasingly evident that some authorities are not permitting the consideration of the planning merits of the social and economic benefits that would accrue to the relevant communities if community energy schemes were permitted to go ahead. This appears to be a direct contradiction of the Minister’s letter in December 2013 and we hope that Pembrokeshire County Council will demonstrate that it will fully consider those social and economic benefits of the scheme.

Local authorities are often equating these schemes with standard commercial developments which offer a community benefit payment of £5k/MW/year or something similar, and such payments are not considered as material benefits under the land use planning system; however this often means that local authorities are similarly not always incorporating them which is contrary to the advice and inhibits the realisation of community energy in Wales. This pattern appears to be arising in some circumstances, it is important to understand the distinction between community benefits (which are non-material matters) and economic and job benefits which are, in the Minister’s judgement, material benefits. We hope that Pembrokeshire County Council will take into consideration the economic and job benefits of this scheme.

This scheme is committed to providing local groups with funding to do more environmental projects and low carbon activities. This project would be able to provide funding for more energy efficiency measures in local homes.

Jobs for local people is a continual challenge and this project would allow this organisation to invest in start up enterprises to generate more opportunities for local jobs, thus allowing local people to have a choice of staying and living in their local area.

This scheme is being delivered by and will be owned by a grass roots community group with a proven commitment to their local area, not outside investors who have no real stake or interest in the community, cultural, Welsh language and heritage. Any profits from this scheme will be re-invested in the local area. This scheme has ensured continual community consultation and has seen local support for renewable energy over a long period of time in the area.

The scheme is a flagship project for Welsh Government’s “Ynni’r Fro” programme supporting community ownership of renewable energy businesses. It has benefitted from significant support and public funding and been subject to the appropriate scrutiny. Permitting this scheme will put Pembrokeshire at the forefront of community sustainability.

Finally this scheme will be a blue print for other communities to develop the various renewable energy schemes in their locality. Schemes such as hydro, PV, solar thermal, biomass, ground source, air source and anaerobic digesters can be developed with a view to supporting and sustaining community and economic activity in rural Wales as well as making a significant contribution to CO2 reductions. At a time when many community and social amenities are facing severe cuts, the harnessing of energy and revenue from community schemes such as this could be a vital element in safeguarding community activities. The project itself has brought together an active element of the community to drive forward positive change in their local community. Most importantly it will be a locally owned asset that empowers the local community to have a greater understanding of where their energy comes from and enables them to take control of their future as they become more resilient to outside forces such as fuel prices that are out of their control.

All of these factors support the Future Generations Act Goals[4] and it will support Pembrokeshire County Councils duty to contribute to achieving these wellbeing goals and supporting a more sustainable future for the communities they serve and their future generations.

Yours sincerely

Robert Proctor

Business Development Manager

Community Energy Wales

Company no. 08069668

Registered Office: Suite 1b, Stangate House, Stanwell Road, Penarth, CF64 2AA

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