Isles of Scilly Renewable Energy Capacity Study

Description

The National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024) requires the planning system to support the transition to net zero and take full account of all climate impacts, including overheating, water scarcity, storm risk and coastal change. It also requires authorities determining applications for renewable energy proposals to give significant weight to the benefits of renewable and low carbon energy generation, and to consider identifying suitable areas for renewable and low carbon energy in Local Plans. The December 2025 consultation draft NPPF reinforces the expectation that Local Plans must be underpinned by proportionate, place specific evidence relating to energy, climate resilience and net zero transition. Given these requirements and the islands' constrained grid, nationally protected landscape, heritage sensitivities and unique exposure to climate impacts, a Renewable Energy Capacity Study is essential to inform sound, defensible Local Plan policy. This Renewable Energy Capacity Study is a critical component of the Local Plan evidence base. It will ensure that spatial policies and development management decisions actively support genuinely sustainable development, embedding renewable and low carbon energy generation, energy efficiency and climate resilience into the location, design and delivery of new development. The study will provide the Council with a proportionate, place specific understanding of where and how renewable energy can be delivered in a constrained island context, and how renewable energy considerations should shape housing, employment and infrastructure growth rather than sit alongside it.