Overview

Come along to learn about the planning system and how to get your community energy project through to approval.

Understanding and navigating the planning system can be a challenge for many community energy projects. This webinar will help you to understand the planning policy landscape, explore recent policy updates, and provide practical advice for navigating the planning process and getting your project through it.

Speakers:

We will be hearing from Neil Best, Senior Planner for Net Zero at the Centre for Sustainable Energy. Neil is a Chartered Town Planner and Urban Designer specialising in the intersection of energy, planning, and climate action. Our second speaker is John Malone, Senior Development Manager at Empowered Projects, who has over 30 years’ experience in the renewable energy sector, specialising in community energy.

What we will cover:

• How does planning work? Understanding the planning process and navigating common challenges
• What’s changing? Key planning policy updates affecting community-owned renewable energy
• Delivering projects: Lessons from real projects, including common pitfalls and practical tips for moving from planning to delivery
• Q&A with the speakers

Community Energy Go:

This event is part of a series of webinars for Community Energy Go, a programme run by Centre for Sustainable Energy, Ashden, and Community Energy England. Alongside these events, the programme connects community groups across England with expert advice to help make their community energy projects happen. You can check whether your organisation is eligible for support through Community Energy Go here, and you can register your interest here if you’re interested in getting support through the programme. You can watch recordings of our previous webinars here.