Informal Policy Position On Renewable Energy Production

Telephone: 01285 623 000
Fax: 01285 623 900
Email: cdc@cotswold.gov.uk

At the Cabinet meeting held on 19^th March 2009, Cotswold District Council approved the following informal policy position with regard to renewable energy production. This is broadly in line with the ‘Merton Rule’ and the guidelines set out in the Supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1: Planning and Climate Change.

Until such time as a policy that encourages the incorporation of renewable energy production equipment has been adopted under the Local Development Framework, the Council will apply the following policy to planning applications for residential and, where appropriate, non-residential development:

When determining outline or full applications for planning permission and, where appropriate, all other forms of planning application or notification:

(a) the Council will expect any development (either new build or conversion) with a floor-space above 1000m², or residential development of ten or more units, to incorporate renewable energy production equipment to provide at least 10% of the predicted energy requirements; and
(b) subject to (a) being applicable, the following planning condition shall be applied: “Before any unit is occupied, appropriate renewable energy equipment shall have been installed to provide at least 10 per cent of predicted energy requirements, and the local planning authority shall be satisfied that their day-to-day operation will provide energy for the development for so long as the development remains in existence.”