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Government acts to free up green energy regime

The Government has formally proposed further changes to the planning regime to make it easier for homeowners and businesses to install microgeneration systems and electric car charging points.

Under proposals just published for consultation, homeowners, developers and businesses would be able to install their own on-site wind turbines, and air source heat pumps without needing planning permission. 

The new rules would also allow councils and electric car drivers to install electric car charger points on streets and in car parks as permitted development.

The relaxation of the planning rules would come with strict caveats about size, noise levels, location and the visual impact on an area, ministers have stressed.

During the consultation the Government will be asking for views about these standards and requirements for the final legislation. Once agreed by Parliament, the new rights would be closely monitored and regularly reviewed, said ministers. 

Communities and Local Government has clarified what local authorities can already do in terms of installing on-street charging points and is proposing to introduce new rights for householders, institutions and businesses including supermarkets and public car parking operators to install off street charging points.

Last year CLG introduced new permitted development rights for householders, granting them the freedom to extend their properties without the need to apply for planning permission within certain limits.

These included new rights for microgeneration equipment, including solar panels and biomass systems. Under the proposed changes, non-domestic properties such as offices, institutions, industries and farm properties will be able to make similar changes to their properties as well as installing solar panels which homeowners have been able to do since new rules introduced last year.

CLG has stressed that the impacts of renewable and low carbon energy technologies will vary on a case-by-case basis according to the type of development, its location and setting. Development that is appropriate in one place may not be acceptable somewhere else and permitted development rights need to reflect this.

The consultation proposes that limits to what would be permitted would vary according to their site and location. For instance, in reflecting the impacts of the various technologies, the consultation proposes different limits for detached and non-detached properties, for residential and industrial areas, for conservation areas and national parks and so on. 

The microgeneration industry haswelcomed theGovernment’s moves. Dave Sowden, chief executive of the Micropower Council, said: "These proposals will clear away the most significant red tape still in place for air source heat pumps and micro-wind turbines, and allow most householders to choose from the full range of microgeneration technologies without the need to apply for planning permission.”

Planning minister John Healey said: "The people who want to green proof their homes should get a helping hand, not a stop sign. Our planning rules need to catch up with changing technologies and allow people to take the small measures that make big differences. Not only could this save up to hundreds of pounds in fuel bills, they will also help the environment. 

"At the same time we need tough rules so that permitted development does not become a nuisance, so I am putting in place strong safeguards in relation to noise levels, size, location and the potential impact on an area.”

Read the Micropower Council press release

Access the ‘Permitted development rights for small scale renewable and low carbon energy technologies, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure: Consultation’


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Roger Milne

19 November 2009