Renewable energy constraints

Achieving net zero will require more renewable energy but it’s essential that renewables are deployed in the right place, using the right technology and at the right scale.

The maps are a tool to help understand where there are constraints on renewable development.

Watch our introductory video to see what the constraints are and how the information on the maps can be used.

What the maps show

There are two maps:

• One for rooftop and ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) systems
• One for small, medium, large and very large wind turbines

These maps show the location and extent of constraints applicable to either solar or wind developments.

Rooftop PV systems

LiDAR, a process that produces a 3-dimensional map, has scanned the UK from the air providing data on the size, pitch and orientation of rooftops. From this data, the solar potential of the roofs has been modelled and is presented based on the modelled annual electricity generation in kWh.

It is important to note that this is only a model generated from the Lidar data and it does not take into account any other factors that determine suitability for solar.

Ground mounted PV systems

The map shows the areas where there are constraints on ground mounted solar PV systems. Areas that are unconstrained have not been divided and so the modelling has generated some large continuous areas of unconstrained land. The maps do not set a limit on the extent of an individual solar development but scale would be a significant consideration in planning policy.

Wind turbines

The map shows the location of constraints for small, medium, large and very large wind turbines. These apply to the common horizontal axis bladed turbines and may not be relevant to other designs.

Some of the wind turbine constraints are dependent on the size of the turbine. Larger turbines require larger buffer areas around features such as buildings and so this results in smaller areas that are unconstrained. The constrained areas for each turbine size are presented on a separate layer. For clarity, the areas that are unconstrained are shaded.

Planning considerations

It is important to recognise that the maps do not indicate:

• Areas have been identified as suitable for development
• Areas where development would be preferred
• Areas that are currently being considered for development; or
• Where renewable developments will and will not be permitted

The maps simply show where constraints present. All potential development proposals would need to demonstrate compliance with national and local planning policies and the maps do not include any interpretation of suitability in respect of these policies.

In the early stages of considering any renewable development, it is useful to use these maps to check for constraints before proceeding to obtain pre-application advice.

In practice, much of the area that is unconstrained would still not be suitable for development due to:

• Wind speeds that are too low to generate energy consistently
• Factors that could only be considered on a case-by-case basis through the planning system, such as scale, design and landscape impact
• Practical and technical difficulties present at a particular site like accessibility or ground conditions
• Limitations on the generation potential due to constraints on the electricity distribution network (grid)
• Limited generation potential that reduces the financial viability of a specific development

Constraints

Technical constraints are those that would have a significant impact on the potential for renewable development. These include:

• Protected sites due to their environmental and heritage value, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Scheduled Monuments
• Ground conditions that are generally unsuitable for ground mounted solar systems including steep slopes and north facing slopes

Secondary constraints are those that have less direct impact on renewable potential but would still need careful consideration in any development proposal. These include:

• Factors that would likely be consideration when determining a planning application such as agricultural grade of the land, flood zones and registered common land
• Buffer zones around protected sites. These are useful to indicate the presence of a protected site close by and that development may have to consider its impact on the surrounding environment

Constraints may also apply to any work associated with the development including access roads and overhead/underground cables.

Further information

For feedback on these pages or for further information please email energy@herefordshire.gov.uk