ARCHIVE: Opportunities and optimum sitings for energy crops

The Government recognises that the impacts of energy crops can vary at a local level. In 2005, Defra set up a working group that comprised representatives from English Nature, Countryside Agency, Rural Development Services, Forestry Commission, English Heritage, Environment Agency, Government Offices and the Rural Development Agencies to develop and produce a set of regional maps identifying opportunities and optimum sitings for energy crops (short rotation coppice (SRC) and miscanthus). This work was referred to in the Government’s Response to the Biomass Task Force and completed at the end of 2006.

These maps are to be used as a tool to provide guidance to those seeking to develop energy crops. They show the best areas for growing the crops plus the areas where this is not appropriate or care would need to be taken from an environmental point of view. Users are likely to include

farmers who are looking to plant energy crops
end users looking to locate in suitable areas
Forestry Commission
Natural England
Government Offices
Regional Development Agencies
Defra

It must be stressed that the maps are only indicative and should not be regarded as definitive with respect to individual applications. They provide the basis for future work, expected to be led by Natural England, which will provide detailed regional guidance for the planting of energy crops. There is clear guidance on their use and it is important that this is referred to when looking at the maps.

Please note: Defra is still committed to undertaking individual assessments of applications to establish energy crops.

5 pdf maps have been produced for each English region along with associated guidance

Yield map for miscanthus. This map identifies areas where high, average and low miscanthus yields may occur
Yield map for SRC. This map identifies areas where high, average and low SRC yields may occur
Existing energy crop locations. This map identifies areas of existing energy crops, planted under the 2000 – 2006 Energy Crops Scheme. This map allows consideration of opportunities to develop biomass projects and energy supply chains.
Designated areas. This map identifies a number of environmental designations that may impact where energy crops can be located
Joint Character Areas. This map identifies which JCA a piece of land falls in. In addition, assessments relating to the likely impact of energy crops in each JCA have been produced by Natural England

In addition, there is also a guidance document outlining a number of environmental issues that should be considered when applying for an energy crop grant.

Regional maps

Please click a region to access maps or select a region from the list below

Click on your region in the map on the right hand side.

Page last modified: Page last modified: 11 May 2007
Page published: 11 May 2007