The Building Podcast
Mark Wakeford is Chairman of the National Federation of Builders, vice-chair at Constructing Excellence Midlands and a Governor at Construction College, Moulton College. He has run a large regional building contractor and now chairs Evoenergy, one of the UK's foremost renewable companies, bringing low carbon solutions to corporate Britain.
Mark talks to leading experts from across the construction sector to discuss issues facing the built environment. He explores various challenges with his guests, who offer solutions, information and ideas that listeners can apply to their own situations, be it in a company, on a project or studying at college.
The Building Podcast aims to provide CPD on the go. Supporting the sector with easily digestible ideas to support a rapidly changing industry!
The Building Podcast
Mark talks to Jackie Copley
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Solar has some big installation targets to achieve over the coming years. In a country that has limited space (land) and a growing population with many competing ideas on what this limited space should allow, solar farms were always going to be contentious. All solar farms have to pass through a planning process, whether this is the Local Planning Authority or the Nationally significant infrastructure process. Both processes are designed to give all stakeholders, including local residents a say in the outcome of the application, which should be in line with due process, defined by national and local guidelines.
Jackie Copley is the Campaigns Lead for the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), and she is a chartered town and country planner of more than 30 years. She talks candidly about the challenges of supporting both an increase in renewables and long term protection of our rural landscape. She explains that CPRE is in favour of renewables, recognising that a reduction of carbon-based energy is beneficial to all, both in the short and long terms. Listen to better understand the value of the planning processes that projects must pass through and the concern that she has for the mega-projects dotted around the country, many of which are built on productive farmland.
Listen to understand the structure of the CPRE and their stance on renewable projects. Hear about their advice notes to stakeholders on acceptable planning proposals and value of “good” solar projects, done well, with local communities.
Jackie Copley MRTPI | LinkedIn