A couple of major ideas to date:
1. Access to information in Environmental Assessment: A case study of the EU Environmental Noise Directive (UK implementation)
2. Factors influencing planning refusals for onshore windfarms in the UK.
The second of the two topics was inspired by the British Wind Energy Association Press Release "Wind farm planning approvals by local councils slump to record new low of 25%" (20 October 2009). This is a rather shocking statistic, considering the now urgent need for clean energy development. What is the reason for this low number? I think there is scope for interesting work in this area and I have been in touch with Charles Anglin, Director of Communications (British Wind Energy Association) today, to express my interest and ask if he can provide any guidance.
The former topic arose from conversations with colleagues in Manchester, it is clear from the UK experience of implementation of the Environmental Noise Directive that good access to information is paramount in the delivery of accurate, useful noise mapping. Results of the study could be used to inform best practice and argue, for example, for greater use of legal and policy instruments to require private companies to release environmental data (obtained e.g. for EIA work on their developments).
Proposed subjects have to be submitted by 11 Feb 2010 (i.e. a month from now).
