| 10.16 |
Land for sub-stations (3m x 3m) will be required in new building
projects, details of which should be established at an early stage
by individual developers. Effective siting of new development can
yield amenity benefits to potential occupiers and the local community.
Existing apparatus must therefore be taken into account when planning
new development.
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| 10.17 |
Environmental improvements are to be encouraged, especially in the
Conservation Areas, town and village centres, Nature Conservation
Zones, Special Landscape Areas and Landscape Improvement Areas. In
view of the substantial practical, technical and cost disadvantages
involved, the undergrounding of high voltage power lines (275kV and
above) will only be sought in exceptional circumstances.
Careful routeing will usually be the most appropriate way to minimise
the impact of high voltage power lines. National Grid will be encouraged
to dismantle all disused overhead line systems and their associated
supporting structures.
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| 10.18 |
Transco have indicated that there are no major problems in providing
a supply to any of the sites proposed in the plan, whether for domestic,
commercial or industrial use. In some cases however, dependent upon
gas load, reinforcement of the system may be needed with a potential
cost implication for the developer concerned. This will certainly
apply to the land proposed for employment uses west of Aviation Way.
Transco has no large scale requirements for additional land during
the plan period.
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| 10.19 |
Energy conservation is the efficient use of energy and the generation
of energy from renewable sources will contribute towards the achievement
of more sustainable forms of development. In February 2000, the Government
published its initial conclusions on its new policy for renewable
energy in the UK. In February 2003, the Government published its White
Paper on Energy - Our energy future - creating a low carbon economy3.
The Government's policy focus is the need for energy
efficiency and the increased use of renewable energy.
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| 10.20 |
The Government has an initial 10 year strategy4, in collaboration
with industry, to help meet its aims. Specifically, it is proposing
that 5% of UK electricity needs should be met from renewables by the
end of 2003 and 10% by 2010, as long as the cost to consumers is acceptable.
These targets are intended to act as a stimulus to industry and provide
milestones for progress monitoring. However, the East of England Sustainable
Development Round Table published a report in 20015
setting a target for the East of England of 14% and one for Essex
of 9% for the same period.
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| 10.21 |
Since renewable energy sources can usually only be exploited where
they occur the most likely proposals coming forward in and around
the district relate to wind energy, tidal or wave action and solar
power. Significant issues may be raised by offshore wind energy proposals
which would be outside local planning authority control, but which
potentially could have an impact over a much wider area.
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| 10.22 |
Whilst recognising the contribution made by renewable energy, such
forms of generation as wind turbines can have significant visual impacts,
as well as other local impacts, in some cases, on the natural environment.
The LPA will seek to balance the potential benefits of schemes against
any adverse effects on local amenity that may arise. The location
of such developments therefore needs to be carefully considered. The
location of visually intrusive structures within the Coastal
Protection Belt, Special Landscape Areas or Areas of Ancient Landscape
will be inappropriate.
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