The following guidance is an updated and expanded version of the 2013 version of advice note 2 written by LUC. It takes into account changes in technology and planning policy since 2013.
From here you can access best-practice guidance on the location and design of wind, solar PV, and battery energy storage system (BESS) developments.
You can also find guidance on submitting planning applications, information on the planning context, and technical information regarding landscape sensitivity studies.
- Part A: Wind energy
- Part B: Solar PV energy
- Part C: Battery energy storage systems (BESS)
- Part D: Guidance for submitting a planning application for a renewable energy scheme
- Part E: Landscape planning context (national, county-wide and local)
- Part F: Landscape sensitivity criteria (intended for use by planners and developers)
Other topics are related to landscape, but are considered separately when the planning balance is being weighed (for example, heritage, ecology, agricultural land classification, and glint and glare).
Often the mitigation measures required for these (such as hedge planting or habitat creation) are delivered through landscape enhancements. In these cases, the mitigation design should follow the guidance contained in this advice note.
Information on ecology, the Nature Recovery Network, landscape character, historic environment, access and planning can be found on the Devon Environment Viewer.
Read the advice note from Historic England on Commercial Renewable Energy Development and the Historic Environment.
Find information from Natural England on agricultural land classification.
This updated guidance was prepared by Fiona Fyfe Associates with input from the Devon Landscape Policy Group. We are very grateful to the community renewable energy organisations who provided examples of good practise, and to the many organisations who attended workshops to shape the scope and content of this updated guidance, and who reviewed early drafts.