The Council are supportive of green technology and the use of renewable energy and has set an ambitious target within its Sustainable Community Strategy "Vision 2030" to create a Sustainable Gateshead. The Council take its own responsibilities seriously and via its carbon management programme seeks to reduce its carbon emissions by 35% over the next five years.
The two guides below are to give guidance. For Gateshead residents the householder guide explains the technologies and gives general guidance on what does and does not need planning permission and some useful contacts if you are not sure or perhaps you live in a sensitive area or in a listed building for example.
The developer guide similarly explains the technologies that are available and for major development draws attention to relevant policy both within the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the North East and the Councils own Unitary Development Plan. There is an expectation that for major developments renewable energy technologies will be designed in from the beginning of the design process as companies recognise their responsibilities and seek to ensure schemes comply with planning policy.
The guides were produced in April/May 2009 and with ever changing technological advancements and changes in planning legislation they could easily date quickly however both guides give the reader other websites to explore to keep up to date with advancements in green technology. As with all general guides they can not cover every eventuality but please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.