HOUSEHOLDERS across Scotland may soon be able to improve their homes with solar panels, wind turbines and other renewable energy devices without going through the costly and time consuming planning process.
The Scottish Government has unveiled the plans to encourage green energy generation and cut emissions, and they have the backing of conservation groups.
Announcing the proposals, climate change and infrastructure minister Stewart Stevenson admitt
ed, "the cost and time required to get planning consent can often be a disincentive to householders seeking to install microgeneration technologies".
Under the proposals – currently out for consultation – permission could be granted automatically under permitted development rights, provided that strict criteria are met.
The exceptions to the planning regime are very specific and a government spokesman yesterday insisted they would not lead to wind turbines being thrown up on every house as satellite dishes had been.
Environmental groups welcomed the announcement, claiming the plans could "help tackle climate change, reduce fuel poverty and encourage greater energy conservation".
Mr Stevenson said the proposals were part of the government's plan to reduce Scotland's emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 as part of the Climate Change Bill.
"We are seeking to strike the right balance between planning considerations and the wider environmental benefits of reducing carbon emissions," he said.
"Low carbon technologies in our renewable energy mix, including microgeneration and combined heat and power, will make a significant contribution to Scotland's future prosperity and help build increased, sustainable economic growth."
Under the proposals, solar panels would be allowed if they covered up to 60 per cent of a pitched roof or wall and protruded by less than 150mm.
But these would not be allowed on flats and there would be additional safeguards for conservation areas or world heritage sites.
Ground and water source heat pumps would be permitted in all areas, as once installed they are invisible.
Wind turbines would only be allowed on homes which are at least 100m from the nearest property and again prohibited in conservation areas or world heritage sites.
Plans which do not fall under the scope of permitted developments would still need local authority permission.
Elizabeth Leighton, WWF Scotland's Footprint Policy Officer said it is "important the public is enabled to play a role in helping to reduce emissions" to meet the climate change target set by the government.
Helen McDade, policy officer for the John Muir Trust, said the organisation hoped the announcement was backed up by funding for the schemes.
Mike Thornton, Director Scotland of the Energy Saving Trust, said the trust would "welcome a relaxation of the planning regulations to make it easier for householders to install microrenewables and thereby help people reduce their own carbon footprint".
OPERA PLAN HITS SOUR NOTEBUILDING a 230ft wind turbine to supply energy to the Glyndebourne Opera House could spoil the tranquility of the South Downs, conservationists said yesterday.
Plans to build the 850kw turbine in East Sussex are being discussed at a public inquiry in Lewes. Officials at Glyndebourne – famous for itsMozart operas – say the turbine forms part of their vision to cut carbon emissions by 71 per cent and make the venue more environmentally sustainable. But campaigners, including representatives from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), who are due to give evidence to the inquiry today, insist such an addition could harm the protected landscape.
Tom Oliver, the CPRE's head of rural policy, said:
"Its rotating, spiky blades would disrupt the magnificence of the broad horizon of the Downs and distract anyone seeking to find inspiration from the harmonious landscape."
The full article contains 600 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
