4.0 Planning
4.1 Local Authorities
An initial letter was sent out to Planning Officers in the Cheshire
Authorities seeking information on any current projects which involve
renewables, or information on any future plans considering renewables.
The response generally acknowledge that there is no activity or planned
activities, other than the few projects CREI has identified in Cheshire.
There was little information from most of the planning departments
on their policy if any on the implementation of renewables in each
of their areas, although to be fair in the past there has been little
need for such policies. It identified a need to address the lack
of awareness but also to promote the involvement of planning and
other bodies in the arena. Community Strategies could impinge on
this, offering an opportunity to include energy issues as they are
developed. Cheshire LASP is currently seeking to make links with
the Local Strategic Partnerships to establish the current state of
play regarding the Strategies. Energy Efficiency is highlighted and
also a proposal has been put forward for renewables to be included
in The Vale Royal Community Strategy. There are plans for the Office
of the Deputy Prime Minister to evaluate community strategies and
this could be a further avenue to establish energy issues within
the strategy structure.
4.2 Parish Councils in Cheshire
According to the information received from the Cheshire Community Council who oversee the Vital Villages scheme in Cheshire, encouraging uptake of the opportunity to develop Parish Plans, there are currently in Cheshire two plans in progress and 15 registrations of intent to produce a Parish Plan. There is a clear opportunity here to assist Parishes in their development of Parish Plans and offer advice and assistance in the arenas of energy efficiency and renewable options and the CREI is the obvious body to do so. Cheshire LASP has attended the recent conference in Lancaster at the end of January 2003 and is seeking to make contact with the Parishes currently undertaking Plans and invite them to attend the event in April 2003. The LASP also intends to invite the Cheshire Community Council and the Regional Co-ordinator for Parish Plans, Lorraine Weeks to attend the LASP event.
4.3 North West and sub-regional sustainable energy strategies
The North West Regional Assembly is leading a development of a North
West Sustainable Energy Strategy following the recent UK Energy White
Paper. Consultation began in April 03 and will continue up to around
September 03. It will be important for Cheshire organisations to
be aware and become involved in this consultation period and play
an active role in the strategy for Cheshire.