New planning rules for small scale energy a step in the right direction

6 August 2009

Today's announcement by Wales' environment minister, Jane Davidson, that most small-scale renewable energy systems will no longer have to have planning permission, has been welcomed by Friends of the Earth Cymru. The group is disappointed though that wind energy systems in acceptable locations are not included in the list of exemptions.

Friends of the Earth Cymru Director, Gordon James, said:

"The removal of the need for planning permission for certain types of small-scale renewable energy systems is a welcome step in the right direction. This will help Wales reduce its emissions of climate-changing gases and meet the demanding targets set by the Welsh Assembly Government for producing heat and electricity from these sources[1]. It will also provide a boost for the creation of more green businesses and green jobs.

"There are further benefits in that installing these systems is known to increase awareness of environmental issues, leading to reductions in energy use, and help to address fuel poverty.

"We are pleased that the new rules will also apply in National Park areas but disappointed that they do not apply to wind energy. We understand that wind has not been included because of concerns about noise from some small turbines. Although this is a valid concern in built-up areas, we believe that exceptions should have been made for rural locations that are an acceptable distance from other properties. This is where the demand for utilising wind energy is the greatest and where many people will be disappointed that restrictions still exist.

"The threat posed by climate change means that we have to move forward rapidly in developing renewable energy. We urge the Environment Minister to remove the need for planning permission for suitably sited small wind turbines as soon as possible and also to relax the rules that restrict the use of small-scale renewables on listed buildings and conservation areas."

NOTES

1. The Welsh Assembly Government's 'Microgeneration Action Plan for Wales' sets targets of installing 30,000 units by 2012 and 300,000 by 2020. According to a report by 'Elementenergy' for the DBERR in 2008, there were just over 6,000 microgeneration units in Wales in 2007.

For further information, please contact Friends of the Earth Cymru on 029 2022 9577