Public opinion on energy crops in the landscape: considerations for the expansion of renewable energy from biomass

Author: Andrew Lovett, Appleton J., Bishop I., Capener P., Capener, P &amp Centre for Sustainable Energy, Coleby A. M., Conrad E., Council of Europe, Daniel T. C., Defra, Defra, Defra, Defra, Devine-Wright P., Devine-Wright P., DTI, DTI, Dwyer J. F., EEA, English Heritage, Forestry Commission, Forestry Commission, Frantal B., Gilg A., Graham J. B., Haughton A. J., HM Government, Hull R. B., Jallouli J., Johnston D., Jude S. R., Katy Appleton, Kempton W., Lovett A. A., Lovett A. A., Miller D., Monbiot G., Moore-Colyer R., MORI, MORI, Natural England, Nix J., ONS, Palmer J. F., RAB, Rowe R., Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, Rural Development Service, Rural Payments Agency, Stewart T. R., Swanwick C., Swanwick C., Trudie Dockerty, UN-Energy, Upham P., Upreti B. R., Wergles N., Wildlife and Countryside Link, Williams K., Wright D.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited

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Public attitudes were assessed towards two dedicated biomass crops – Miscanthus and Short Rotation Coppice (SRC), particularly regarding their visual impacts in the landscape. Results are based on responses to photographic and computer-generated images as the crops are still relatively scarce in the landscape. A questionnaire survey indicated little public concern about potential landscape aesthetics but more concern about attendant built infrastructure. Focus group meetings and interviews indicated support for biomass end uses that bring direct benefits to local communities. Questions arise as to how well the imagery used was able to portray the true nature of these tall, dense, perennial plants but based on the responses obtained and given the caveat that there was limited personal experience of the crops, it appears unlikely that wide-scale planting of biomass crops will give rise to substantial public concern in relation to their visual impact in the landscape

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