As part of its climate emergency declaration, Cotswold District Council (CDC) committed to review its Local Plan – a guide for future developments – to make climate change a strategic priority. The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) and Land Use Consultants (LUC) were appointed to assess existing and potential local renewable energy resources as part of the review.

The aim was to provide CDC with evidence-based advice to inform decisions on climate change and achieving net zero while supporting the current Local Plan with updated energy policies. CSE’s assessment gives strength to the council’s strategy for renewable energy development to reach its goals across the district.

There were two key phases to complete this work. The first was to assess renewable energy resources and the second to explore how to use these in local planning.

Assessing existing and potential energy resources in the Cotswold District

CSE began by reviewing local and national policy and goals. Then, we developed a district-wide energy needs assessment. This provided a clear picture of current and projected energy demands and emissions across the Cotswold District.

We also assessed the existing and potential renewable energy resources, supported by a Landscape Sensitivity Assessment delivered by LUC. This involved desk-based analysis of technical potential. We used industry-standard or in-house assumptions for all major renewable technologies – backed by CSE’s extensive experience in supporting local areas with sustainable energy. We considered the benefits and challenges of renewable energy development relative to its environmental, social and economic impacts on the local area and its assets.

Future scenario planning

The outcome of these assessments informed the next stage of the project. We developed a series of deployment scenarios and opportunities for renewable energy to show what the future could look like in the Cotswold District.

From a technical perspective, the vast majority of the potential for renewable energy generation comes from ground-mounted solar PV and wind power, followed by energy crops, which complement the rural geography of the district. The proportional contribution from rooftop PV, woodfuel and fuel from agricultural residue seems much smaller.

Non-technical factors, such as political ambitions, commercial viability and socio-demographic composition, also play a key role in determining the feasibility of the technology mix. A significant constraint is posed by the Cotswold National Landscape designation, which means areas may be unsuitable for large developments of wind turbines and ground-mounted solar schemes. However, smaller developments could be viable.

Taking the findings forward

CSE and LUC made recommendations for updated renewable energy strategies and a revised energy policy for CDC. The suggested policy reflects our findings and aims to support the deployment of renewable energy by ensuring stakeholders understand local initiatives and the resources needed to implement them.

Our full assessment and recommendations can be read in the Cotswold Renewable Energy Study.

CDC has taken CSE’s considerations and integrated these within the evidence for the Local Plan review. The next step is for the council to take the updates to an Examination in Public, to assess that the Local Plan meets the legal requirements. If the plan is approved and adopted, it should encourage more renewable energy development in the district and serve as an example for other local authorities.