Planning minister Carl Sargeant has urged planning authorities to do more to ensure that green energy policies are set out in local development plans (LDPs).  The minister has written to voice his disappointment that although planning authorities have carried out renewable energy assessments as part of their LDP evidence base, this has not been translated into local policies (including siting) for five to 25 megawatt renewable energy schemes or other low-carbon technologies.  He says ‘The designation of such areas would show leadership at the local level, give certainty to the renewable energy industry in making investment decisions, and – through the LDP consultation process – would give communities a say as to where renewable energy developments should be located’.