The government is taking climate change very seriously and wants new development to become an opportunity to tackle climate change...
To this end, local authorities are being encouraged to include on-site renewable energy measures in local development plans. There are also proposals to make the installation of small-scale microgeneration equipment permitted development, so that house-owners will not be deterred by the planning process from making use of microgeneration equipment.
Including on-site renewable energy measures in local development plans
The Department for Communities and Local Government has published a survey of local plans (see Review of Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy Policies in Emerging Development Plans). The survey indicates that many local authorities are adopting new requirements in their local plans for on-site renewable energy in new developments. This reflects current planning guidance contained in PPS 22 and the companion guide.
On-site renewable energy might include, for example:
- Photovoltaic solar panels.
- Wind turbines
- Solar hot water heaters.
This is being encouraged by the government, which would like new development to be regarded as an opportunity for developers and local authorities to do something towards protecting the climate.
With this in mind, the Housing and Planning Minister, Yvette Cooper, is urging all local authorities to include on-site renewable energy measures in local development plans. This request will be incorporated in the draft planning policy statement on climate change that is due out later in 2006.
Reducing planning restrictions on small-scale microgeneration equipment
The government would also like to encourage the domestic use of small-scale microgeneration equipment for people's homes. The government has announced that there is to be a review of planning permission rules, with the intention of making the installation of small-scale microgeneration equipment permitted development.
Yvette Cooper illustrated the current problem by pointing out that it is relatively easy to put up a satellite dish on a house but relatively difficult to install small-scale microgeneration equipment, which may be no more obtrusive than the satellite dish.
Whilst the government's intentions are welcome, will these renewable energy measures make any significant impact against the effect of CO2 emissions (which I understand is the biggest causer of global warming)? What about the large commercial developments that consume incredible amounts of energy, should they be overlooked? The large Ikea storage depot in Peterborough is a classical example of how energy can be re-used. The storage depot relies on Geothermal energy from the earth. I am also aware that some London Local Authorities already have UDP policies to provide at least 10% of energy for particular sites from re-usable and renewable energy.
