A Green Light for Green Energy
Green pressure group, the South Downs Society, has responded positively to a government consultation on renewable energy.
The Society has over 2,000 members and has successfully raised funds for conservation schemes in the Downs and campaigned for their protection for over 80 years.
“The Society recognises that the Downs will be affected by climate change and we wholeheartedly support efforts to reduce energy use and increase the contribution to energy generation from renewables,” says Society Planning Officer, Steve Ankers.
“The proposed increase in the UK’s contribution to renewables targets through wind energy and biomass will be extremely challenging and will require a close examination of planning policies. But this must not be a carte blanche for widespread damage to the landscape. Expected energy benefits must be weighed against the impact on the landscape and other considerations like wildlife conservation, noise and local amenity. There must remain a high level of protection for our best landscapes like the chalk downland and the Western Weald.”
Responses to the consultation are being analysed by Government’s new Department of Energy and Climate Change.
In its response the Society has also pressed for openness in making information available about energy producing schemes.
“If the public is being asked to buy into green energy,” says Steve Ankers, “we need to know just how much energy is being produced from individual schemes so informed decisions can be made by planning authorities when they are considering energy benefits against other environmental damage.”
