Expert support network for planners working with renewable energy extended

Following a successful initial pilot earlier this year, the expert support network for planners working on renewable energy developments, Planning Renewables, has been extended for a further six months.

Aimed at supporting local authority planning officers in both forward planning and development management the intention of the service is to provide advice, information and guidance on specific issues relating to planners' work through a network of renewable energy specialists.

Areas such as wind, biomass, waste-to-energy and solar power, as well as many more, are all covered in relation to planning and the site is constantly being updated.

From the start of August, planners are able to submit their queries through the Planning Renewables website. These will then be assessed and, for those that are suitable, free support of up to one-day’s worth of an expert's time will be offered to deal with complex queries requiring in-depth research, clarification and response. Typically, this is delivered via telephone and e-mail.

Where queries are less complex, or are variations on ones that have been dealt with already, the option of a half-day's or a few hours' worth of support is also available.

The expert support network is managed by CSE with funding from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), and is run in association with DECC and the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG).