Rob Meadley

Effective community engagement

Transcript

1. Rob Meadley Head of Renewable Energy Services, Brown & Co
2. Wind Energy Effective Community Engagement Rob Meadley MSc Head of Renewable Energy Services
3. • Who – who do you need to consult with? • What – what are you proposing? • Where – where are you consulting? • When – when are you consulting? • Why – why are you consulting?
4. All scales of wind energy projects require some form of consultation
5. Who? • General Public • Specialist interest groups • Parish Council • County/District Council
6. Some peoples views are not going to change!
7. It is advisable to avoid conflict with anti-wind energy groups! Common tactics used are: • Websites • Posters • Signs • Articles/press coverage • Mail shots
8. Some examples: http://www.noturbinesin.saddleworth.net/index.htm http://www.epaw.org/ - European Platform against wind farms http://aawt.org.uk/ - Anglesey Against Wind Turbines http://www.communitiesagainstturbinesscotland.com/ http://www.countryguardian.net/
9. Some people are just: Terribly Worried About Turbine’S
10. What? What is the project proposing? • Outline the project – number of turbines, size of turbines • Express the outputs in understandable terms – “the wind farm will produce enough electricity to power 10,000 homes”
11. Where? In people’s homes – telephone, letter, leaflet, internet Local venue – village hall, leisure centre, public house On site – open up the proposed site for people to visit
12. When? When is the best time to consult? As early as possible! Once feasibility has identified any issues with the site, this information can be used as part of the consultation process. • Background information – usually provided in the feasibility • Photomontages – a pictures speaks 1,000 words
13. Why? Why do we need to consult? • Inform local residents of the proposed project • Give people a chance to have their say • Identify issues of public concern • Offer possibilities to modify/mitigate impact of project
15. Types of Consultation Letter, Flyers, Leaflets, Questionnaires
16. Open exhibition Consultation • Information boards • Representatives on hand
17. Open or invited meetings
18. • Independent chairperson • Agenda • Formal method for questions – submitted beforehand • Allocated time for people to speak
19. Want to avoid!!!
20. Feedback
21. Community benefits • “Free electricity” • Community fund – to be spent on local projects • Improvements to local infrastructure – roads etc Example of commemorative statue of RAF squadron at Lissett Wind Farm
22. Community consultation and engagement is essential for a successful wind energy project • Consult/engage early • Make people feel involved • Give people a chance to provide feedback • If appropriate create a “community fund”
23. Thank you