Planning, policy, and public trust in energy development

On this episode of the Hypercube Energy Podcast, Adam Sroka speaks with James Jamieson, Vice President of Business Development at Starlight Energy, about how planning decisions shape renewable energy projects and why policy, public trust and collaboration are central to delivering new infrastructure.

James shares his experience across local authority, consultancy and developer-side planning, explaining how energy projects move through the planning system and how decisions are made. The conversation explores the balance between commercial development, community concerns and environmental impact, as well as how biodiversity and social value are increasingly built into renewable projects from the outset.

Adam and James also discuss how planning is evolving as renewable infrastructure scales, where AI could help reduce administrative burden, and why trust, transparency and better public understanding of planning will be essential to delivering the next generation of energy projects.

Adam and James cover:

• James’s role at Starlight Energy and how renewable energy projects move through planning
• Why planning decisions are policy-led rather than popularity contests
• Balancing development, biodiversity and community concerns
• How planning professionals work with authorities, stakeholders and local communities
• Where AI could support planning systems and reduce administrative complexity
• Trust, transparency and the future of public engagement in infrastructure decisions