The IOA have submitted a response to the UK Government consultation on revised draft National Policy Statements for energy infrastructure. Government state this is part of work aimed at strengthening and speeding up the planning process, whilst protecting and enhancing the environment and ensuring local views are accounted for. The policy covers England and Wales.
In our response we have welcomed the inclusion of clear requirements to consider impacts on health and well-being and the requirement that noise and vibration impacts from marine developments must be considered.
There is a case for liaising further with the Welsh Government so that the references to policy in Wales are as up-to-date as possible, given the introduction of the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill and developing policy in this area under the welsh administration.
In addition, it is noted that the NPS does not cover onshore wind, leading IOA to ask whether there is an implied size limit for any future onshore wind proposals. Further, the absence of onshore wind from the policy statement means that the assessment methodology requirements set out in the current version of EN-3 are no longer in policy. Without that text, there is no formal guidance or requirement in policy regarding how the noise from any future onshore wind farm proposals should be assessed.
The consultation deadline has now been extended to June 23rd
