Comment

Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission

Representation ID: 9493

Received: 29/07/2022

Respondent: Biddenham Society

Representation Summary:

The Biddenham Society believe a far stronger position should be taken on enforcing the implementation of renewable energy. All developments should incorporate solar power generation and storage at the initial build stage. This would take advantage of economies of scale rather than the higher cost of incorporating it retrospectively. Historically, developers have been directed to provide community services in exchange for receiving development permission; we can see no reason why they should not provide solar panels and batteries within the houses or solar power generation fields as part of this Local Plan.

Full text:

While this policy refers tentatively to implementing renewable energies, the Biddenham Society believe that a far stronger position on this should be taken. For example, all developments should incorporate solar power generation and storage thus enforcing a greater contribution to a reduction in climate change factors as well as taking advantage of the economies of scale of implementing them at the development stage rather than the higher cost of incorporating them retrospectively. Historically, developers have been persuaded to provide community services in exchange for receiving permission of develop (through the provision of village halls, recreation grounds etc); we can see no reason why they should not provide solar panels and batteries within the houses they build or even solar generation fields to power complete developments as part of this Local Plan.