Residents of Cornwall are being asked to have their say on plans to help generate more renewable electricity in Cornwall.
Photograph: Unsplash/Katrina Berben
It is the latest step in work on the Climate Emergency Development Plan Document (DPD), which is part of Cornwall Council’s plans to address climate change and become carbon neutral by 2030.
The council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and recognises that its planning policies — covering what can be built, where, and how — have a major impact on the way that places grow and change, helping to protect and shape the Cornwall of the future.
The aim is to make sure that future development is sustainable and helps to address climate change in every aspect of its design and construction.
Work has been going on to propose suitable sites for renewable energy generation and that can now be shared so that residents, businesses and other stakeholders across Cornwall can give their views.
‘Renewable energy will be crucial’
Tim Dwelly, the council’s portfolio holder for culture, economy, and planning, said: “What we build and how we build it can play a major part in our overall climate change aims. That’s why this DPD is so important — it will help us build in requirements for the future to make sure new developments play their part in the overall picture.
“Renewable energy will be crucial, which is why the chance to look at these possible sites for wind turbines is one that people should take to help us get it right.”
Edwina Hannaford, portfolio holder for climate change and neighbourhoods, said: “If we’re to meet our ambitious target for a carbon neutral Cornwall as early as possible, we need to ensure that our buildings are as efficient as they can be and that we have put the right conditions into place to generate clean, green electricity.
“This consultation is a really important part of the process as we head towards the next formal stage of public consultation and then send our proposal to the government.”
