Renewable Energy Planning: The Do’s and Don’ts
Getting to grips early with your local
planning requirements can save a lot
of time and frustration
From early 2008, planning permission isn’t such an issue for renewable energy installations – unless you live in a conservation area or a listed building.
Even so, it makes sense to contact your local authority’s development control department for local guidance. Unfortunately, some authorities still require a fee to assess your application. Or, if you have a few minutes to spare, start here by browsing the national renewable energy planning policy.
Here are some general green energy guidelines:
- Solar – permission is not needed for rooftop panels if they are less than 150mm thick. For ground-based systems, the maximum area is 9m2, and they should be more than 5m from your property’s boundary.
- Wind turbines – permission is not needed for building-mounted machines with a rotor less than 2m diameter. These should be less than 3m above the roof ridge height. Pole mounted machines must be less than 11m high.
- Biomass isn’t usually a problem. However, if you live in a smoke control area, make sure your stove or boiler is compliant with the regulations.
Green Energy Tips:
Important things that you should consider:
- Check out your local authority website for local information about planning issues. Search the site for ‘renewable energy’ if you can’t find the right page
- Ask your installer for advice – especially if they are local!
- Always consult your local authority if you live in a conservation area or a listed building.
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