Government to reform planning system in drive to cut carbon emissions

The Department of Communities and Local Government has published new proposals to streamline the planning system as part of the "national crusade" to tackle climate change.

The measures announced by housing and planning minister John Healey give homeowners and developers the green light to install on-site wind turbines and air source heat pumps without having to get planning permission. Local authorities will also be able to install electric car charger points on streets without having to make a planning application. The extent of the caveats on size, noise levels, location and visual impact will now be the subject of a three-month consultation.

The proposals – part of the government’s renewable energy strategy – set out for the first time the extent to which businesses and public buildings will be able to install renewable technologies such as solar panels. On industrial estates or in agricultural areas, wind turbines up to 15 metres high would be permitted.

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 make the small measures that make the big differences.

“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.”

Energy minister Lord Hunt added that the clean energy cash-back scheme scheduled for 2010 would mean people get paid to produce their own renewable energy. “We can’t allow the planning system to get in the way of tackling climate change,” he said. “Small scale renewable generation will contribute to us meeting our renewable energy target for 2020 and making sure we cut our carbon emissions.”

Royal Town Planning Institute Policy Adviser Kelvin MacDonald said the institute supported the initiative. “It’s important that the proposals take account of local circumstances and historic buildings,” he warned. “It will also be important for planners to assess these proposals and provide their input to government to ensure the new measures are both workable and flexible enough to adapt to fast-changing renewable technologies.”

The consultation, which was launched on 17 November, will run for three months.