COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT News Release (155) issued by The Government News Network
on 13 August 2007
Many shops,
offices, pubs and clubs could soon be powered by renewable energy,
under changes to planning rules that will make it easier for
businesses to install 'green' technologies like solar
panels and wind turbines.
Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, today announced that Entec -
a leading environmental and planning consultancy - have been asked
to draw up new planning rules that will ensure the system is doing
more to encourage the use of renewable energy. The research will
specifically look at removing barriers to installing small-scale
renewable and low carbon technology equipment that can currently
lead to increased costs and lengthy delays.
At present businesses must go through the planning system when
they, for example, want to install a solar panel or a small wind
turbine. A planning application can cost about £1,500 and take up
to eight to sixteen weeks to be considered by councils, with no
guarantee it will be approved.
Hazel Blears has asked Entec to investigate how renewable energy
equipment can be included as 'permitted developments',
which means the changes can be made without the need for specific
planning permission as long as there is clearly no impact on
others or the local environment. The research will also consider
what safeguards will need to be in place for circumstances where
the benefit of the technology is clearly questionable and
outweighed by its impact on the local environment.
The Government also announced that Housing Minister Yvette Cooper
has asked the UK Green Building Council to set out a route map for
improving the overall energy efficiency of non-domestic buildings
with the aim of delivering substantial reductions in carbon
emissions from new buildings over the next decade.
Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, said:
"This Government is committed to bringing forward changes
that will allow us to tackle the growing challenge we face in
climate change.
"This research will be crucial to working out how we can
support the business world to do its bit, as we move to a
zero-carbon culture.
"Whether it is your local supermarket, pub or the place
where you work, green technology could soon be playing a big role
in powering the building, whilst cutting carbon emissions and fuel
bills too."
It is estimated 30-40 per cent of the UK's electricity could
be met by installing microgeneration equipment to all types of
building by 2050. Renewable technologies can significantly reduce
a building's carbon footprint and can vary from wind and
water generation to ground sources like heat pumps and biomass
boilers. Commercial buildings account for 18 per cent of carbon emissions.
Energy efficient buildings, which draw some or all of their
energy from low or zero carbon technologies not only help to
reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change but also lower
fuel bills.
The Government has also commissioned White Young Green Planning
(WYGP) to carry out a wider investigation into what planning
reforms are needed to make it easier for businesses to build
extensions or make improvements to their premises.
The research will consider whether the need for planning
permission can be removed for minor developments - such as small
scale extensions and changes to shop fronts - where it is clear
they have little or no impact on neighbouring properties or the
local environment.
WYGP will also set out how local authorities should retain the
right to restrict planning permission with strengthened safeguards
to deal specifically with eyesore developments.
The new research projects follows on from the Government's
commitment to overhaul the planning system and to better equip
councils to tackle climate changes.
This included:
* A commitment to drive up the energy efficiency of all homes and
for all new houses to be zero carbon by 2016.
* Proposals to overhaul planning rules to make it easier for home
owners to make minor household extensions and install
microgeneration equipment.
* New planning rules that will require councils to consider
tackling climate change as a core factor when considering every
new planning application and setting out a new role for them in
promoting energy efficiency.
Notes to Editor
Entec, White Green Young Planning and the UK Green Building
Council are expected to report back to Government before the end
of the year.
Planning for a Sustainable Future set out the Government's
vision for reforming the planning system. It can be found at http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1002882&PressNoticeID=2425
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 4400;
News Releases: http://www.communities.gov.uk