CAMPAIGNERS have warned Dorset will fail to meet its own renewable energy target unless planners allow on-shore wind farms to be built.

The Dorset Energy Partnership (DEP) is made up of representatives of councils across the county – along with community and business leaders.

The group set a target to produce 7.5 percent of the energy demand by renewable sources by 2020. The DEP believe that by March 2015, only 2.6 percent of the demand will be produced from renewable sources – roughly one third of the target with five years remaining.

Pete West, renewable energy development officer for Dorset County Council, said: “The UK has a legally binding target to produce 15 percent of total energy consumption from renewable energy by 2020 through the European Renewable Energy Directive.

“There are significant financial penalties for failing to meet the national target, but the 7.5 percent local on-shore renewable energy target is aspirational and supported by over 82 percent of more than 1,000 respondents to a public consultation. There are no financial penalties for failing to reach the local target.”

Campaigners don’t think enough is being done at a local level to give renewable schemes a chance.

The West Dorset ProWind Group was set up earlier this year to encourage those in favour of three local wind farm proposals to make their views known.

Jeanie Averill, spokesperson for West Dorset ProWind said: “Government at all levels, both elected politicians and the officers they employ, are central in the effort to address climate change through the development of renewable energy and schemes to reduce energy use. Dorset councils, compared to other counties, are sadly falling short in this matter. These issues concern the public greatly and need positive evidence of the way forward.”

Henry Lovegrove, treasurer of West Dorset Friends of the Earth, thinks West Dorset District Council are not interested in giving renewable energy developments a chance. West Dorset District Council can be an absolute killer for renewable energy schemes.

“The problem is that it needs to be an effective and efficient application, but they tend to be written off quite early on by the district council,” he said.

However, WDDC said they are supporting the development of community renewable energy.