Householders and community groups in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park are being offered free renewable energy advice to help with their planning applications. The West Wales Eco Centre, in Newport, Pembrokeshire, has launched REAS-Pembs (Renewable Energy Advisory Service). It is funded by the Sustainable Development Fund, which is administered by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Advisor Matthew Leese is helping people who are applying for planning permission in the National Park to consider using low carbon features and technologies within their applications. Jake Hollyfield, West Wales Eco Centre director, said: "We're offering free and impartial advice to people over the phone, email or post or in person. Site visits are also available. "If all subsequent developments require less centralised energy for heat and electricity, then the population of the National Park should be, to some extent, protected against any crises that arise from increasing fuel costs and limited resources for heat and electricity." Jake added that as well as the environmental benefits, there will be economic ones because the market for renewable energy installers and sustainable building will grow. Ifor Jones, the authority's head of conservation, said: "This service is great news for people making planning applications in the National Park. We look for evidence of consideration of sustainable energy use in applications and REAS-Pembs is a useful first stop for applicants. "Mitigating the causes of climate change, albeit on a small scale, contributes to the conservation of our landscape and biodiversity - the very reasons for the designation of National Park status. We welcome the opportunity to work with REAS-Pembs towards this aim." Feedback so far has been positive, says REAS- Pembs advisor Matthew Leese, who is contactable at the West Wales ECO Centre from Monday to Friday on 01239 821909.