Devon is to get another nine wind turbines after plans were given the go-ahead.

Renewable Energy Systems (RES), which will build the 120m (393ft) high turbines at Den Brook near Crediton, said it was "delighted".

A planning inspector overturned objections about landscape impact by West Devon Borough Council.

Objectors questioned the turbines' output and said they would "devastate a beautiful valley".

The inspector felt that although there will be an impact on the rural environment, the harm caused could be outweighed by the renewable energy benefits of the development.

Devon has only one commercial wind turbine, but 22 are being built at Fullabrook Down near Barnstaple.

The Den Brook turbines will be able to produce enough power for 16,000 homes on an average output of eight to 10 megawatts, claims RES.

Rachel Ruffle, development director of RES, said: "We are delighted. It's been in planning for nearly five years.

"It's a particularly good time with concerns about climate change top of the agenda that well-designed projects are allowed to go ahead."

A spokesman for objectors Den Brook Valley Action Group said: "It's a complete waste of time and a total devastation of this beautiful valley.

"This is a low wind area. It won't produce the power they are offering."

Local people will be given priority to buy shares in the Den Brook development at £1 a share. Ms Ruffle said: "We are very keen to explore how residents local to Den Brook could be offered a stake in the wind farm as a way to reap some direct benefit from the project once it is up and running."

Devon has about 32 megawatts of renewable energy from all sources and now has about 95 megawatts approved, which will bring it close to the renewable energy output in neighbouring Cornwall.

Cheryl Hiles, director of sustainable energy delivery at renewable energy quango Regen SW, said: "This is a positive decision, not only for North Tawton, but also for Devon and the South West. This is also a significant milestone for Devon, which has significant wind resources but currently has only one built turbine."
BBC News 11^th December 09

DARE Environmental Question Time

Devon Environmental Question Time

The Devon Association for Renewable Energy (D.A.R.E) will be hosting a unique event, an Environmental Question Time, to be held on Thursday 12^th November 2009 at 7.30pm, at Puccinos Café, 16 Catherine Street, Exeter.

This event will give people a chance to quiz representatives from all the major political parties on environmental issues that affect us locally, nationally and internationally.

The panel will consist of Nick Harvey MP Liberal Democrat, Councillor Paula Black Green Party, Matthew Groves Conservatives, Mark Cann Labour & Merlin Hyman CEO of Regen SW the sustainable energy agency for South West England.

Do you want to know more about the party political platforms on environmental issues? Want to question the parties on how they see the UK reaching its carbon reduction targets? Confused about what our energy future looks like? Then come along to DARE’s Environmental Question Time where you can ask the questions that are important to you.

Please call 01837 89200 to reserve a place or email mail@devondare.org spaces are limited. Places cost £3.50 pp; to help DARE a “not for profit organisation” to cover the costs of the venue hire. Please also be sure to let us know if you would like to raise a question.

This event will follow the Devon Association for Renewable Energy’s AGM which will begin at 6.00pm, if you are interested in finding out more about DARE and would like to attend the AGM please let DARE know.

Job Vacancy - This vacancy has now been filled.

Temporary Office Administrator Required

24 hours per week

Based in North Tawton

£8.00 per hour

DARE is a not for profit, membership organisation whose mission is to promote the production of Renewable Energy in Devon.

D.A.R.E is looking to recruit a part-time Office Administrator to cover Maternity leave. This post will commence on 2^nd November 2009 and finish 2^nd August 2010.

The successful applicant must posses at least 1 years previous clerical experience and have the ability to work well within a small team often under their own initiative. Excellent organisational skills are a must as is a flexible approach to working hours and duties.  An interest or knowledge of environmental issues would be an advantage. 

Experience of the following is required: 

·        Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

·        Good knowledge of office IT programs in particular Microsoft    Word and Excel.

·        Accounts experience and ability to run monthly pay roll systems.

·        Minute taking at Directors Board Meetings.

 If you are interested in this temporary position, please apply in writing with a covering letter and CV to, The Managing Director, D.A.R.E, 12a The Square, North Tawton, Devon, EX20 2EP or email applications to mail@devondare.org.

Closing date for this post is 16^th October 2009.

Interviews will be held week commencing 19^th October 2009.

Induction day will be held on Friday 23^rd October 2009

Devon scheme leads UK's green energy drive.

Devon County Council has been announced as runners up at the world's leading Green Energy Awards and awarded £15,000 in prize money

Representatives from Devon County Council met HRH Prince Charles to receive the accolade at the prestigious Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy in London on Thursday June 11^th.

The award was given to Devon County Council's Renewable Energy for Devon (RE4D) scheme which is boosting green rural regeneration in Devon by stimulating both supply and demand for renewable energy. The £15,000 will be used for scheme improvement and expansion.

The scheme has led to 109 renewable energy installations in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and community organisations, and a further 18 in domestic properties. These have a total installed capacity of over 2 MW, avoiding around 1,300 tonnes/year of CO2 emissions.

RE4D has provided £0.25m in grants and helped secure £0.81m of other funding. Fifty-five jobs have been created and a further 16 safeguarded through the scheme.

The Ashden Awards judges commented:

"Devon is rooting renewable energy firmly in the economic realm, and showing that green measures contribute to sustainable business - a particularly important message in the current economic climate."

Sarah Butler-Sloss, founder and chair of the Ashden Awards said:

"The UK's local authorities have the potential to fast-track energy savings and carbon reductions on a massive scale, and this scheme shows how political commitment and imagination can drive the agenda forward."
From Sian Hester, Exeter 383523, June 15,2009

Dartmoor Farms Carbon Project Launched

A new project was launched at Corringdon Farm, South Brent on Wednesday 3^rd June, courtesy of Mr Philip French and family.

The Dartmoor Farms’ Carbon Project has been instigated to offer advisory visits to farmers within the National Park boundary, with the aim of undertaking a carbon audit for the farm. During the visit renewable energy options will be discussed, and advice given on optimising nutrient planning to make the most of nutrients available from manures and clover.

The project is being managed by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) and will include expert advice from FWAG, and from the Devon Association for Renewable Energy (DARE). Visits are co-funded to the tune of £350 by the Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund and the Duchy of Cornwall, leaving farmers with just a £100 contribution. The launch was attended by representatives from the Duchy of Cornwall, and Dartmoor National Park Authority, as well as many upland farmers, all keen to learn more about how the Audit could help with reducing input costs, as well as harnessing renewable sources of energy available on their property.

DARE launches a brand new service:-

Help Available for Renewable Energy Grants Applications

DARE cannot complete the applications outlined below without quotations from installers.  Quotations should be sought, compared, and accepted in conjunction with the grant application process.  DARE is able to aid in this process and liase with installers, but time spent doing so will be charged at the £250 per day rate.

Initial Visit and Meeting:  ½ day

An initial meeting will be required to discuss which technologies are being considered and what the advantages of the site may be.  The meeting will also be used to collect information that may be useful in the grant application process, and advise on measures that may be desirable or may help the success of the grant application.  This meeting will be required if any of the subsequent items are to be completed by DARE.

 Contribution to Community Event: 1 day

Community involvement is a major area of both the Low Carbon Building Programme and the Community Sustainable Energy Programme Grant.  Community events and open forums discussing the intended renewable energy projects that are suggested.  DARE is able to appear at such events and give presentations and facilitate discussions about the project motivations, the specific proposals, and the benefits to the community.  Such events have won over, or at least silenced, potential objectors in the past, and can give community members a sense of ownership in the project.  If help in organizing events is desired, DARE will come to a bespoke arrangement with the client.

 CSEP (Community Sustainable Energy Programme) Section 1 -  2.2:  ½ day

This portion of the CSEP application is most easily completed by the applicant, and it is suggested that the applicant complete it.  However, if an applicant wishes for DARE to undertake this work, the cost will be the equivalent of ½ of one day (£125).  If the applicant completes this part of the application, DARE is happy to advise in this process at no extra cost.

  CSEP Sections 2.3 – 3:  1 and ¼ days

The bulk of the CSEP application is in these sections.  DARE has experience in this process and can provide professional quality documents to fulfill the requirements of the application.  Within this work, DARE will provide both the 5,000 word document requested by CSEP, and the 16 separate 150 word summaries required.  However, some aspects of section 3 cannot be provided by DARE.  These include:

• Architect’s drawings of the structures to which renewable technologies are to be applied, and any drawings that would depend on these building schematics.
• Drawings of the structural aspects of the system.
• Electrical schematics.

These items are better sought from the installer(s) of the proposed technology. 

CSEP Section 4:  ¼ day

Section 4, the technology specific section of the CSEP application, can be completed by DARE within ¼ of one day, assuming the installer information is made available.

 CSEP Section 5 – 7:  1 day

Like sections 1 – 2.2, this part of the application may be more easily completed by the applicant, but DARE is willing to take on the task, at a cost of 1 day.  Again, advice on completing these sections can be provided at no extra cost.

 LCBP (Low Carbon Building Programme)– Phase 2  Application:  ½ to 1 day

DARE can complete the LCBP Phase 2 application, assuming the installer information is available.  If DARE is also working on a CSEP application the LCBP will only require ½ a day of DARE’s time.  If a LCBP application is requested in isolation, the charge will be 1 day’s time.

 Energy Supply Company Grant:  1 day

Energy supply companies such as E.ON, EDF, and Scottish and Southern offer grants for renewable energy projects.  Applications to any one of these grants can be completed by DARE in one day’s time.  Each of the energy supply companies ask that they be the only corporate sponsor, so these grants cannot be matched on the same project or site.

Ed Miliband’s first statement to the House of Commons: Climate Change Bill to integrate an 80% emissions cut

 RegenSW have identified 15 significant opportunities it creates for the region, including the following:

·         There needs to be a major UK technology accelerator programme to overcome the engineering challenges to deploying wind turbines in 30–50 metres of water, and the South West should aim to contribute by becoming a centre for applied research in deep water foundations and innovation in turbine design. Offshore wind is critical to achieving a 15 per cent target, but requires installation of wind turbines in moderate-depth water of up to 50 metres, which is beyond current installation depths.

·         The South West could develop a renewable heat retrofit pilot programme, targeting off-gas grid oil boiler replacement and the retro-fitting of large commercial or office buildings: Over 200,000 south west homes, which are off the gas grid and using expensive fuels such as heating oil, are likely to replace their boilers before 2020, and could be encouraged to install renewable heat technology.

Den Brook Valley Wind Farm Debate Continues
For: RES – Renewable Energy Systems
Den Brook wind farm – further delays as opposition groups exaggerate wind farm noise.

The Den Brook Wind Farm, near North Tawton in Devon, was given planning permission in February 2007, after a Planning Inspector overturned West Devon Borough Council’s refusal of the nine turbines.
The developer, RES, has always gone to great lengths to ensure that the wind farm would be an asset to the local community, working closely from its Devon office with community groups and local councils throughout the development process.
Unfortunately, relief at finally getting the wind farm through planning has since been overshadowed by legal challenges, from the minority of local residents who remain opposed to the wind farm. They are using all legal avenues open to them to ensure that the construction of the wind farm is delayed for as long as possible.
Despite these attempts to thwart the project, the Planning Inspector’s decision was recently upheld by the High Court. However, during this process, the opponents of the wind farm seized upon a small error in RES’s noise data analysis, despite the fact that the impact of the error is minuscule (indeed inaudible to the human ear), and noise conditions at the site will remain well within permissible limits.
The error concerns the assessment of existing background noise measurements.  The standard used to set background noise levels involves separating the measured background noise data into two separate time periods: ‘quiet daytime’ and ‘night time’. The error occurred when some of the data was logged in the wrong time period.   The maximum difference the error makes is 0.4dB (A). In terms of human aural perception, a difference of 0.4dB(A) is of no significance. It is well accepted that the smallest subjectively perceptible difference in noise levels is around 1dB(A), even under controlled conditions. Put simply, no-one would be able to hear the difference between sound levels that are only 0.4dB(A) apart.
In keeping with RES’s policies on openness and maintaining good community relations, it believes it to be only fair that the noise data should be re-examined in public. Some people will, of course, have concerns and, in light of the level of disinformation and scaremongering that has taken place, RES thinks that the best way to reassure people is to have the issue examined at a formal process. 
In the face of growing concern about climate change and the rapidly rising price of conventional fuels, it is essential that good quality renewable energy projects like this one start contributing clean, green energy as soon as possible.  Despite this setback, RES is confident that construction of the wind farm can begin in 2009. The wind farm will soon be generating enough electricity to power the equivalent of over 10,000 homes, which is around half of West Devon’s power consumption. The wind farm will also generate a community fund of at least £27,000 per year and habitat enhancements on site will also benefit local wildlife.

Against: Den Brook Valley Judicial Review Team - Planning Permission Quashed

The Secretary of State has quashed the unlawful planning permission for the Mid Devon wind farm as a result of the Den Brook Valley Judicial Review Team’s legal actions. The application will now go back to the Planning Inspectorate to determine the next step.
The case sets a precedent that wind farm neighbours have the right to raw environmental data. As we have discovered, Renewable Energy Systems [RES] claims are not always a fair reflection of the realities of the situation.
Even though RES commissioned an independent expert, Dr Andrew Bullmore, to confirm the reliability of their noise assessment, it is now beyond any shadow of doubt that the assessment was unreliable.
RES had refused for 3 years to release the vital noise assessment data saying we weren’t capable of assessing it. Despite only having part of the data, we have already found errors amounting to a potential increase in noise levels of greater than half again those that would be perceived according to RES’ estimations.  
We have yet to receive further noise data. This, despite director of RES Rachel Ruffle, stating quite categorically that she fully understood the force of Mr Justice Mitting’s criticisms of the developer for not supplying the promised data and stating, “in similar future situations RES will make raw noise data available to any inquiry participant who seeks them”.Close neighbour Claire Hodgson used to support the development but now says, "RES’ repeated failure to provide all the information has left me with no option but to file a formal complaint.  RES said they had taken on board the Judge's criticisms, but so far there is no evidence of this. This does nothing to rebuild my trust
The developer’s worryingly defective noise assessment has cost the Council Tax Payer and local communities several hundred thousand pounds in the process of bringing to light these critical and far from miniscule errors.
Thank you everyone for your overwhelming and continuing support. We will continue to do our very best to ensure that just and democratic principles are upheld.
 For more information about the Den Brook Valley Judicial Appeal Team please visit www.denbrookvalley.co.uk 

Government rejects South West's regional low carbon new development policy in the RSS

The Secretary of State published the proposed changes to the draft South West Regional Spatial Strategy on the 30^th July (see www.gosw.gov.uk/gosw/planninghome/691545/713860/ for more details).
Despite strong leadership and two years of painstaking evidence building and discussion the region’s proposals on new build (Policy G) have been rejected out of hand.
Commenting on the proposed changes Matthew Spencer, chief executive of Regen SW, said: “We are relieved that the region’s targets on renewable electricity and renewable heat are still intact, but sad that the Government is trying to rule out the policy that will make new buildings in the south west more sustainable. Hazel Blears, the Secretary of State for Local Government appears to be unwilling to devolve power on this issue. She has dismissed the strong evidence that we could achieve early learning in low carbon building at the same time as meeting high build rates. Her proposals will raise carbon emissions in the region and make the process of setting local energy standards for new buildings longer and more expensive for local authorities.”

UK Renewable Energy Strategy Consultation 

26/06/2008 – 26/10/2008

Few people in the RE industry can have failed to notice the launch of the consultation process for the UK’s RE Strategy.

The consultation document and other links can be found at http://www.renewableconsultation.berr.gov.uk  Try the Executive Summary.

When published and approved, the Statement is likely to be the driving force behind all RE activity for several years.  Can it really be that we are looking at the beginnings of a Government policy that takes a realistic view of what we need to address Climate Change and energy security issues.

The UK Strategy is also of necessity a means of  enabling the UK to meet its share of the EU target of sourcing 20% of all energy from renewables by 2020 (including all energy supplies, heat, electricity and transport fuels).  The UK has a legal obligation to the overall EU target, but the actual UK contribution has yet to be finalised.  15% across the board is currently being proposed, and this may well be accepted.  However, the Government wants to ensure that it would have the flexibility to achieve its contribution/target in the most cost-effective way possible and that the sub-target of 10% of transport fuel being renewable is fully credible. 

Whilst the latter point is fully justified in the light of environmental and carbon saving concerns about Bioethanol and Biodiesel, we need to ensure that it is not just pure economics that determines the promotion of specific technologies.

It has been calculated that to achieve an overall 15% of all energy from RE will require 30 – 35% of electricity coming from renewables, given a 10% share of renewable transport fuel, and about 14% of all heat supplies.  The current figures for comparison would be less than 1%, less than 5%, and less than 1% respectively.  The challenge is considerable, and will require a commitment from all sectors from Government to individual citizens.

The consultation seeks views on the options for developing all RE technologies, suggesting opportunities, constraints and potentials.

Google in New Energy Scheme

Google has pledged to spend tens of millions of dollars next year on renewable electricity. The project, called Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal, will focus on advanced solar thermal power, wind power technologies and enhanced geothermal systems. Google said the scheme will expand into hundreds of millions of dollars-worth of “breakthrough renewable energy projects”.

The Independent

Global warming is not a future apocalypse, but a present reality for many of the world’s poorest people, according to the most hard hitting United Nations report yet on climate change.

The report also criticises Britain’s policy on climate change. The UK is the world leader on rhetoric, it says, yet “if the rest of the developed world followed the pathway envisaged in the UK’s Climate Change Bill, dangerous climate change would be inevitable.

Paul Vallely – The Independent

Brown outlines four sites for nuclear power stations.

Four sites were earmarked for the new generation of nuclear power stations yesterday as Gordon Brown gave the clearest signal so far that he will give the go-ahead in the New Year for a major expansion of Britain’s nuclear power output.

Mr Brown made it clear yesterday that a decision would be announced in January, but did not retreat from the Governments proposals “that there should be a new generation of nuclear power stations”.

Colin Brown – The Independent

DARE wins award!

Regen SW recently short listed candidates for the Category of "South West Renewable Energy Champion" to recognise the outstanding work and achievements of individuals making a real difference to the development of renewable energy in the South West.

We are pleased to announce that Paul Baker, Managing Director of DARE was short listed for this category and received his award at a recent gala dinner.

Brown Pledges to banish the plastic bag from Britain

Gordon Brown has announced he was backing the campaign to eliminate wasteful plastic bags in a wide-ranging speech setting ambitious climate change targets for Britain.

The Prime Minister said he was calling a forum of supermarkets, the British Retail Consortium and other groups urgently to assess how they could end the use of disposable bags.

Mr Brown warned that rich countries, including the US and Britain, may have to increase their targets for cuts in emissions to an unprecedented 80 per cent.

Mr Brown also said that Britain would plan for more wind farms, as well as wave and tidal schemes, to increase the use of renewable sources of energy pending the expected go-ahead for more nuclear power stations in the new year.

 Mr Browns speech was praised by environmental groups for “getting serious” about the challenge of climate change.

Less than three weeks to go before the competition closes!

The Business Commitment to the Environment (BCE) Environmental Leadership Awards is making it's final call for competition entries.

With less than three weeks to go until the competition closes, businesses are urged to take advantage of this unique opportunity to demonstrate that corporate responsibility is an integral part of their organisation, that they are innovative and ahead of the competition.

David Miliband, who presented the 2007 Awards, noted that: "The mismatch between how we use natural resources and the steps we are taking to mitigate climate change is widening. The businesses that have won awards today are examples that I will use to persuade others in the UK and internationally that addressing climate change does not damage competitiveness"

It’s free to enter and attend the Awards ceremony for any business eligible to pay corporation tax in the UK. Applicants are required to complete a simple application form which is available on the website (www.bceawards.org) before being assessed for the next stage where those selected will be visited by one of the BCE technical panel.

Those who enter can be sure that they are in good company. This years top award winner was the Co-operative Group whose integrated approach to sustainability truly demonstrates that helping the environment doesn't stop at just the businesses resource consumption.

Revealed: cover-up plan on energy target
Ministers urged to lobby for get-out on renewables
Government officials have secretly briefed ministers that Britain has no hope of getting remotely near the new European Union renewable energy target that Tony Blair signed up to in the spring - and have suggested that they find ways of wriggling out of it.

In contrast to the government's claims to be leading the world on climate change, officials within the former Department of Trade and Industry have admitted that under current policies Britain would miss the EU's 2020 target of 20% energy from renewables by a long way. And their suggestion that "statistical interpretations of the target" be used rather than new ways to reach it has infuriated environmentalists.

An internal briefing paper for ministers, a copy of which has been obtained by the Guardian, reveals that officials at the department, now the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, think the best the UK could hope for is 9% of energy from renewable sources such as wind, solar or hydro by 2020.

It says the UK "has achieved little so far on renewables" and that getting to 9%, from the current level of about 2%, would be "challenging". The paper was produced in the early summer, around the time the government published its energy white paper.

Under current policies renewables would account for only 5% of Britain's energy mix by 2020, the document says. The EU average is 7%; Germany is at 13%. It acknowledges that Germany, unlike Britain, has built a "strong and growing renewables industry".

EU leaders agreed the 20% target for the bloc in spring. The European Commission is working out how to reach this .

DBERR officials fear that Britain may end up being told to get to 16%, which it describes as "very challenging". The paper suggests a number of ways ministers could wriggle out of specific commitments. It also suggests ministers lobby certain EU commissioners and countries such as France, Germany, Poland and Italy to agree to a more flexible interpretation of the target, by including nuclear power, for example, or investment in solar farms in Africa.

Officials ask ministers to examine "what options there are for statistical interpretations of the target that would make it easier to achieve".

They suggest the target lacks credibility because it is so ambitious, while acknowledging that the Germans will be difficult to persuade because the Chancellor Angela Merkel is the champion of the 20% target and wants to commit Germany to 27%.

"These flexible options are ones that may be difficult to negotiate with some member states such as Germany, who we expect to resist approaches that may be seen to water down the renewables target," the briefing says.

Environmentalists were shocked. "This briefing reads like a 'wriggle and squirm' paper," said Andrew Simms, director of the New Economics Foundation. "It combines almost comic desperation from civil servants suddenly realising that they actually have to do something to promote renewable energy, with a breathtaking cynicism as they explore every conceivable get-out clause to escape the UK's international commitments."

A spokesman for DBERR said he would not comment on leaked documents, but added: "This government is committed to renewables and reducing emissions in line with EU targets."

The Conservative's shadow secretary of state, Alan Duncan, said: "This is a staggering revelation and shows the government has known all along it won't meet its targets but has deliberately avoided admitting it. They have been living a lie."

The Lib Dem environment spokesman, Chris Huhne, agreed: "This news confirms that the government has said yes to an EU target of 20% of renewable energy without any visible means of achieving it. If the government's policy is now to have any credibility and not be seen as a cynical attempt to woo green opinion, ministers must stop fudging and start acting."

The paper reveals an aversion to renewables on the basis of perceived cost, arguing that they are a more expensive way of reducing carbon emissions than the European Emissions Trading Scheme. It estimates that getting to 9% by 2020 could cost the economy £4bn a year.

Environmentalists reject the idea that renewables are too expensive. Even £4bn a year is only about one third of the 1% of gross domestic product rich countries were recommended to spend a year combating climate change.

The paper also reveals that carbon capture and underground storage of CO2 emissions from new coal-fired power stations is projected to make little contribution before 2020. "This is betrayal of the highest order," said Rajiv Bhatia, head of renewable energy distributor Alternergy.

Jeremy Leggett, of solar energy company Solarcentury, said: "It would not surprise me if this delay in renewables deployment was the tactical objective all along for some senior officials in DTI. Serving on the government's Renewables Advisory Board from 2003 to 2006, I witnessed what cynics could easily have mistaken for a deliberate campaign of delay, obfuscation, and the parking, if not torpedoing, of good ideas coming from industry members of the board."

Ashley Seager and Mark Milner The Guardian 13^th August 2007  

Housebuilders win battle against green technologies

• Government to drop rules promoting renewables

• Planners will be unable to set environmental targets

The government is preparing to torpedo a local authority policy which has been one of the few genuine drivers of renewable energy technologies in Britain, the Guardian has learned.

The Department for Communities and Local Government is to in effect abolish the so-called "Merton rule", under pressure from housebuilders who do not want to bear the cost of adding things like solar panels to the buildings they construct or the effort of marketing them as "green".

The decision to axe the Merton rule comes a week after the Guardian revealed that officials at the business and enterprise department had admitted the country had no hope of meeting EU targets on renewables over the next 13 years and had advised ministers to find ways to wriggle out of the targets.

The Merton rule is named after the London borough that established it in 2003. It requires any new building to reduce its carbon emissions by 10% through the use of renewables. More than 150 local authorities have either introduced it or are about to. In the absence of a proper interest in renewables from central government, the Merton rule has become central to tentative steps towards a low carbon future.

But housing minister Yvette Cooper, who last year wanted all local authorities to adopt a Merton rule, will soon publish a new draft planning policy statement which outlines the abolition of the rule.

Adrian Hewitt, principal environment officer at Merton council, said: "The new draft ... on climate change confirms our absolute worst fears. The Merton rule and any mention of local authorities being able to secure a percentage of renewable energy on new buildings seems as if it's going to be airbrushed out of history like a dissident from an old Soviet photograph."

The communities and local government department is holding a "sounding board" meeting on Tuesday to discuss the new draft policy statement and will run into protest from concerned groups.

The Royal Institute of British Architects yesterday attacked the government's apparent U-turn on the Merton Rule.

RIBA president Jack Pringle said: "The RIBA strongly believes that local authorities should be free to demand higher building standards than those set nationally.

"Individual local authorities can play a huge role in driving innovation and can themselves become beacons of sustainability. If the reports are true and this ability will be lost, that will be detrimental to the government's goal of reducing carbon emissions from buildings."

On the other side of the argument is the House Builders Federation. Ms Cooper has been heavily lobbied by the group, which argues for a national, rather than local, strategy for the government's plan for new homes to be zero carbon from 2016. The federation's chairman, Stewart Baseley, wants a national strategy phased in over 10 years and says action at local level will lead to confusion and higher costs.

"Local authority political posturing for the green ground with ever-more unaffordable and potentially unachievable targets, and taking no responsibility for how these targets are to be achieved, will serve no one's interests," he said recently.

Renewable industry representatives say the Merton Rule is many times more important to them than the government's low carbon buildings programme, which provides grants but has repeatedly run out of money and had its rules changed.

The sources say that the U-turn on the Merton rule makes a mockery of the consultation: half of all respondents supported the Merton rule and only three of 324 objected to it on grounds of cost.

Tony Book, head of a company called Riomay which is involved in several solar energy projects in London, said the rule only added 3-4% to building costs.

"It has driven some really big projects here in London. The solar thermal project we are installing on the old Arsenal stadium at Highbury is the biggest of its kind in the world. It would not have been done without the Merton rule," he said.
Ashley Seager The Guardian 20^th August 07

Wind Set Fair For Green Devon Future
The coast off North Devon could become home to the world’s largest offshore wind farm if a scheme proposed for the area goes ahead

With some 350 turbines generating a total of 1,500 megawatts of clean, renewable power, the scheme entitled ‘Atlantic Array Offshore Wind Farm’, would supply enough green energy to meet the electricity consumption of more than one million homes - almost half of all households in the South West.
    The £3 billion project is the brainchild of South Molton based Farm Energy, the company that originated the London Array project in the Thames Estuary, currently the world’s largest offshore wind scheme, which received offshore consents from the DTI and Defra in December 2006.
    Farm Energy Director Peter Crone said: “Atlantic Array would be a landmark project that would see the South West taking a significant step towards a more environmentally sustainable future.
    “Every year, the wind farm would avoid the release of 2.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide – the main gas contributing to global warming – equivalent to over five per cent of the carbon dioxide emissions generated by the South West.
    “The proposed wind farm would create hundreds of jobs – not just during construction but longer term once it is up and running. A permanent workforce of up to 100 people will be needed to operate and maintain the wind farm.
    “However, that is only part of the story. The economic benefits will go much wider as there will be opportunities for local companies during construction and there will be knock-on benefits for many other local businesses in the supply and service sectors throughout the lifetime of the project.”
    Atlantic Array would be sited some 22 kilometres north west of Ilfracombe, which is poised to become the operations and maintenance centre for the new wind farm.
    Commenting on the plans, Matthew Spencer, Chief Executive of RegenSW, the renewable energy agency for South West England, said “We welcome the news that offshore wind could play a major role in future energy generation in the South West . We hadn’t expected to see offshore wind in South West England because of the depth of our seabed, so it’s great to hear that Farm Energy is committed to making the economics of deeper water wind farms work.
    “Atlantic Array is a game-changing proposal which will have a major influence on the Government’s thinking on the best areas for offshore wind, currently assumed to be shallow water off the East of England coast and in the Irish Sea.
    “This proposal allows the South West to start playing in the big league of European renewable energy industry and is sure to stimulate new interest in the region from other companies.”
    The power from the wind farm will be transmitted to shore via submarine cables. From the landfall it will feed by way of underground cables into the existing National Grid substation at Alverdiscott some eight kilometres away.

  For more information please download the full briefing paper

Legal Challenge to Den Brook Successful Appeal
A local resident opposed Den Brook Wind Farm is taking his case to the High Court. The case will be brought against the Planning Inspectorate, West Devon Borough Council and lastly RES the company wishing to make the development in West Devon. The challenge is made under Section 288 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and is on the reasonableness of the planning conditions relating to noise and shadow flicker and also on the Inspector's approach to planning balance
A Section 288 application can only be successful if the claim is made on a point of law. For example, a successful claim could be made on the basis that the decision made by the Inspector was not within his power or had visibly failed to take into account evidence presented to him on a particular topic. It is not the function of the court to interfere with the judgment made by the Inspector on issues of fact, and the court will not do that.
As yet the date for the one day hearing has not been set.  Once the hearing is over a judgment within a month is expected.  It is believed that even if the challenge is successful then the substance of the planning permission (turbine size and locations) is unlikely to change, rather the noise conditions could be revised. The effect of the challenge is ultimately a delay to the operation of the wind farm and therefore a delay to the production of clean, green electricity equivalent to the demand of more than 10,000 homes in West Devon and is a set back to Devon's efforts to meet its renewable energy targets.
RES believe that the grounds of the challenge are very weak and although it appears to be very similar to a challenge on a wind farm in Norfolk, the noise condition in that case was very different to that imposed on the Den Brook wind farm.  RES intend to defend the Inspectors decision rigorously and are confident that the challenge will not succeed.  

Den Brook Valley Wind Farm Appeal Successful
Renewable Energy Systems (RES) has welcomed the Planning Inspectorate’s decision today to approve the nine turbine wind farm at Den Brook in Devon following a public inquiry in November last year.
The project will generate electricity equivalent to the annual needs of over 10,000 homes – or half of West Devon - and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas. It will also bring local benefits including a £27,000 a year community fund to be spent on local projects, a sustainable income for farmers who own the land, local sourcing of labour and materials and wildlife enhancements measures at the site.
Rachel Ruffle, Project Manager for Renewable Energy Systems, said: “We are very pleased with the Inspector’s decision. It allows the Den Brook wind farm to make a contribution to important national and regional efforts to meet renewable energy targets, cut greenhouse gas emissions and avoid the serious impacts of climate change. We are also looking forward to bringing economic and environmental benefits to the area.”
In his decision, the Inspector noted the need to tackle climate change and the benefits of the project. In discussing the potential visual effect of the wind farm he concluded; ‘I have little doubt that this location would (because of, rather than in spite of, its inherent topographical characteristics) rank highly among the landscapes most able to accommodate development mof the type, scale and extent proposed.”
Rachel Ruffle added: “We took the project to appeal because there was local public support for the project and because we were confident that we had designed a low impact wind farm that would bring benefits on a national, regional and local scale. We are delighted that this has been confirmed by the Inspector’s decision.”
Rachel Ruffle concluded; “At this stage it is too early to give any indication of when we might start work on the Den Brook wind farm. We shall be examining that, in the context of our existing programme, over the coming weeks.”  

  UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report
According to the most authoritative report on global warming to date a leap in average temperatures by 6.4C could occur in the next century.
The "six degree world" may come about 2100, if human society continues with rapid economic growth and high levels of burning fossil fuels, such an increase would render life impossible on much of the planet. The 6.4C is a global average and would mean much higher rises in higher latitudes leading to severe droughts, melting of glaciers and extreme storms. 
The most significant fact within the report was that if CO2 was to reach 550 parts per million the Earths temperature would probably rise by 3C, a temperature unsupportable by society.  The IPCC also predicts a sea level rise of 59cm by 2100. 
Britain's Environmental Secretary, David Milliband, said "The report confirms our concerns that the window of opportunity to avoid dangerous climate change is closing more quickly than previously thought. It is another nail in the coffin of the climate change deniers...(and shows) that the debate over the science of climate change is well and truly over. What's now needed is the international political commitment to take action." 
The IPCC reported that Climate Change is "unequivocally" happening, and there is "at least a nine out of ten chance" that human action is behind it. Achim Steiner, head of the UN Environmental Programme said this "marks the end of the debate...The focus now shifts to policy...We have to show leadership. If we don't, the world will be in even  deeper trouble than it is today, and the price of not acting will go up every year that passes."
Independent Saturday 3rd February 2007

Exmoor Renewable Energy Group (EREG) application to EDF
An innovative Exmoor scheme which could produce enough electricity for over 60 homes, and save over 100 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year, is seeking support from one of the southwest’s leading power suppliers.

The Exmoor Renewable Energy Group (EREG), formed early this year by Exmoor residents committed to installing and promoting renewable energy, submitted a bid to EDF Energy’s Green Fund, which sponsors innovative community renewable energy projects. 

The group is seeking £50,000 of grant funding for their first project, known as “EREG 1^st Wave”, to develop five new hydro installations in Exmoor National Park, two of which are sited at historic mill sites still housing working water wheels.  The bid was prepared in partnership with the Devon Association for Renewable Energy (DARE) and supported by Exmoor National Park Association (ENPA).

The EREG installations together will form a hydropower trail, and each site will have promotional material directing visitors to the other sites in the trail, as well as other local examples of hydropower, such as the hydro schemes at Lynton and Lynmouth and  other renewable energy technologies such as the wind turbine at the Pinkery Centre on Exmoor and the experimental tidal current generator near Lynmouth. 

Using local community expertise EREG will set up a website to provide information to the local community and wider public on the group’s experience in planning and delivering and delivering renewable energy.  Links will be made available to other RE and community regeneration initiatives in the area to provide them with valuable case information and to further promote EREG.

The hydro installations will have open days for the public and for visits from local schools. 

The scheme will be a template and site owners will act as mentors to successive waves of EREG members - 11 new members have already expressed interested in joining, with a possible further 21 potential future members identified and contacted – setting in motion a rolling process where successive waves of EREG members plan and deliver new renewable energy installations in the Exmoor area. 

Descriptions of individual schemes:
Lee Abbey is a conference, retreat and outdoor centre overlooking Lee Bay at an idyllic location on Devon’s north coast a couple of miles west of Lynton and Lynmouth.  Lee Abbey is a community in its own right. Approximately 100 people live here from about 20 different countries and around 10,000 of visitors stay at Lee Abbey each year, including many school and youth groups 

Parracombe Mill, Parracombe is a grade II listed building dating from 1543.  A new tour programme will take visitors from schools and the wider public on a journey through the mill’s history as a working corn mill (the restored water wheel is one of the few in working order on Exmoor) up to the present day where the new hydropower system will be the focal point of an educational feature on the importance of small scale renewable energy.

Holwell Farm, Parracombe is home to Holwell Castle, a Norman motte and bailey castle which continues to stimulate a long history of interaction between Holwell Farm and the local and regional community.  The castle is visited regularly by local schools, and an annual event by the Young Farmers Club is held for the local community and visitors.

Cowbridge Sawmill is a historic mill site, established in 1746. The new hydro scheme will restore an overshot water wheel to power an active woodworking museum.  So as with Parracombe Mill renewable power generation will restore the historic function of this site, at the heart of the local community.

Deercombe is a small moorland stream site.  A successful hydro generation project here will act as an exemplar for the many dwellings similarly located on the network of streams on Exmoor, and encourage other potential hydropower site owners to tap into the clean energy resource flowing near their doorstep.

ENPA has been instrumental in the formation of EREG. In 1997, the Authority financially supported the hydropower assessment at 120 sites on streams & rivers across Exmoor.  In 2003, ENPA approved £21,000 from the Exmoor Sustainable Development Fund towards the further development of exemplar micro-hydro power across Exmoor.  Firstly, Hydrogeneration Ltd (a hydropower company based in Oakford, nr Tiverton, who carried out several hydro installations as a result of a previous successful bid to EDF by a similar group in South Somerset) & ENPA organised, in Summer 2004, a series of seminars for potential hydro site owners on Exmoor, then provided funding for pre-feasibility work on a number of those sites.  EREG then formed around a number of these site owners with ENPA’s continued support. ENPA’s Sustainable Development Manager is a consultee to EREG, and has contributed to setting up EREG, including £9,000 of funding towards the EREG 1^st Wave Project. ENPA’s primary reason for involvement in EREG is to establish exemplar small-scale installations that can be replicated across the Greater Exmoor area and will be accessible to national park visitors, by supporting sites where feasibility has been proven by experienced, accredited hydro developers

The Inquiry began on the 22^nd November which follows the decision by RES to appeal against WDBC’s refusal of planning permission to establish nine turbines in West Devon.

According to opponents Den Brook Valley Action Group (DBVAG), the mean wind speed is so low at the site between North Tawton & Bow that even in an average January the scheme would not be able to generate any electricity at all for one third of the month. The DTI records give a mean wind speed of 5.9 metres per second at Den Brook at 45metres above ground.

Rachel Ruffle of RES the wind speed figures quoted by the DBVAG were estimated at a height of 45m, but the proposed turbine hub would be almost twice that. Miss Ruffle disputed DBVAG’s claims that the proposed development would not be able to generate any electricity for one third of a windy month such as January. She said the turbines would generate electricity for “approximately 80% of the time all year round, enough for the equivalent needs of approximately 10,000 to 13,000 homes every year.”

Rebecca Rylott, a landscape architect with experience of around 40 wind energy projects, told the inquiry in Okehampton: “The landscape character and scenic qualities in this area are capable of coexisting with a wind farm.”

On the first day of the inquiry in the Charter Hall, inspector  David Lavendar said among the key issues he would be considering would be the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, the impact on the living conditions of local residents, the visual impact and the impact on the local historical and architectural environment.

The results of the enquiry are expected during the week commencing 11th February 2007

Biomass Power Station Appeal

Peninsula Power has appealed against Torridge District Councils decision to refuse planning permission for it’s biomass power station in the village of Winkleigh.

Peninsula Power’s managing director, Roger Barton said: “The decision to appeal was made upon detailed legal and planning consultancy advice. PPL and its advisors believe that the original decision was seriously flawed, and we have a very strong case.”

Mr Barton added that the recent Stern economics review of the implications of climate change considerably enhanced the logic for renewable energy projects of all types, which was mirrored by the Government’s strengthening of the statutory planning process in favour of renewable energy projects.

The appeal process has now started but a date for the public inquiry has not yet been fixed.

Seeing RE4D: the new way forward for green energy  
An innovative new pilot scheme to develop the renewable energy sector in Devon has been launched by Devon County Council with funding from Objective 2 and Devon Renaissance.

The project, called RE4D - Renewable Energy for Devon - aims to boost the market and profit for renewable energy businesses within the Objective 2 regions by creating demand for their products - renewable energy systems.

RE4D also helps businesses, public sector and community organisations, schools, and even domestic households to move to renewable energy sources, which will in turn use locally supplied renewable energy systems.

Free independent advice is available to everyone through a telephone support line, with onsite advice available for schools and larger businesses. SMEs and community organisations.  Support services available vary between client sectors, but include funded feasibility studies, mentors to guide the transition to renewable energy and grants towards the cost of installing renewable energy systems.

Devon County Council Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Regional Affairs, Humphrey Temperley said at the RE4D launch, " This is great news for the county and we are delighted that the partnership's bid for the pilot has been successful.

"The project underpins key aspects of our business growth strategy and strategic plans, by increasing rural productivity and facilitating the use of renewable energy through innovative technology.

"We want to see more renewable energy companies in the region get involved in the project and benefit from our investment in growing the renewable energy market.

"Persuading organisations, both statutory and private sector of the value of switching to renewable energy sources is an educational and cultural process. This pilot will help identify real financial and environmental advantages for the client but will also have a positive impact on the economy and environment of Devon as a whole."

The project is funded for £1.1m over the next two years. RE4D is managed and hosted by Devon County Council and is being delivered in partnership with a number of organisations; DARE (Devon Association for Renewable Energy), WEAT (Westcountry Energy Action Trust), GAP (Global Action Plan), the University of Exeter's CEE (Centre for Energy and Environment) and Trans-Send, a social enterprise company. The project will also work alongside Regen SW, the regional renewable energy agency.

Prior to the appointment of Project Manager Melanie Sealey, the Acting Project Manager, Mark Hodgson said:" This is a great project for Devon, which due to its geography and dispersed nature of its towns has many opportunities for generating smaller scale renewable energy. We are aiming to generate over £3m worth of new sales in the sector in six key technologies, ranging from ground source heat pumps to biomass stoves and boilers.

"The target is for these sales to result in 225 installations which represents a significant increase in renewable energy use and to save over 5000 tonnes of CO₂. In the process RE4D aims to create 41 jobs in the county and help move Devon towards a low carbon economy.

"With Devon as a whole spending over £1billion on energy each year, businesses and households suffering steep rises in energy bills and worries of security of supply, RE4D is timely and excellent news for all."

For more information about RE4D contact 0800 512 012,  email: energy@re4devon.org.uk, or visit the website at www.re4d.org  

Wind farm bid fails

Inspector Keith Smith dismissed an appeal by developers West Coast Energy following a public enquiry held in Okehampton in June.

The Yelland Farm scheme to erect three 81m turbines was rejected in November 2006. Mr Smith said  that the development would  have “adverse landscape and visual impact.” “It was argued that the effect of the turbines would be to detract from the setting and character of Okehampton to the extent that this could inhibit inward investment and affect future prospects for residents and local businesses.”

But Mr Smith said the developers had referred to  a number of studies which revealed that “the longer term effects on public perception and the popularity of locations for tourist activity were largely unaffected by wind farm developments after a period of adjustment.”

Gerry Jewson, managing director of West Coast Energy, said “The inspector’s decision appears to attach limited weight to the statutory targets for renewable energy generation in Devon and the Government’s commitment to climate change. I felt that we had selected an appropriate location in Devon for renewable energy generation and given the environmental imperative and the need to provide for secure and diverse forms of energy for the UK - the planning system has clearly not yet adjusted to the urgent tasks ahead of us.”