Issue - meetings

Cotswold Renewable Energy Study

Purpose

The purpose of the Renewable Energy Study report is to provide Cotswold District Council with evidence-based guidance to support decision-making on renewable energy development and progress toward net zero targets, whilst also supporting the Local Plan Update.

Recommendation(s)

That Cabinet resolves to endorse the Renewable Energy Study for use as:

part of the evidence base for the review of the Local Plan;
part of the evidence base for future Council policies and procedures in regards to responding to the Climate and Ecological Emergencies.

Due to the size of the report Annexes B to F are published as a supplement and are available via the Cotswold District Council Website https://meetings.cotswold.gov.uk/

Additional documents:

Decision:

The purpose of the report was to present the Cotswold District Renewable Energy Study and to provide evidence-based advice to inform decisions on renewable energy deployment and achieving net zero, while also supporting the Local Plan Update. Cabinet endorsement was sought to use the study as an evidence base for Council policies going forward.

The report was introduced by the Principal Planning Policy Officer in the absence of Councillor Mike McKeown, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Sustainability.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Joe Harris and seconded by Councillor Tristan Wilkinson

Cabinet RESOLVED to endorse the Renewable Energy Study for use as:

part of the evidence base for the review of the Local Plan;
part of the evidence base for future Council policies and procedures in regard to responding to the Climate and Ecological Emergencies.

Voting record:

6 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstain.

Minutes:

The report was introduced by the Principal Planning Policy Officer in the absence of Councillor Mike McKeown, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Sustainability.

The Cotswold District Renewable Energy Study, conducted by the Centre for Sustainable Energy in Bristol had been commissioned by the District Council to support its goal of becoming "Green to the Core", and funded through the local plan reserve, as it supported the update of the local plan.

The comprehensive study had two main strands: assessing how the Council estate could move toward carbon neutrality and; exploring how planning policy could support wider district efforts to become more sustainable.

The importance of investing in renewable energy as a means to strengthen energy security and reduce long-term costs was noted.

No contradictions with current planning guidelines were identified when considering the recommendations. It was noted that while the study went further than national policy in some areas, this was permissible and not expected to cause issues.

Financial implications were highlighted, and it was noted that any future projects would require business cases to be submitted to balance future development with financial constraints.