4th April

Speaking after the launch of a consultation by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly MP designed to “slash planning red tape” to make it easier for people to install microgeneration technology, Dave Sowden, Chief Executive of the Micropower Council said: “We are most encouraged by the government’s willingness to tackle the planning system which currently can act as a serious barrier to customers who want to invest in microgeneration as part of playing their role in tackling climate change.

“The current planning system by default says “no” to microgeneration unless there is a good reason to consider otherwise. In future it will say “yes” within properly considered, pre-defined limits. This will make a big difference to large numbers of customers wanting to take up microgeneration but put off today by bureaucracy and inconsistency.

“Of course, the limits need to be set appropriately, and after proper public debate. We welcome the consultation as an opportunity to have an informed debate about the detail in the coming months.”

For further information contact Jane Vaus, Head of Media and External Affairs, Micropower Council, 020 7924 0795 / 077480 10447 or jane.vaus@micropower.co.uk.

ENDS

• The announcement was made by Communities Secretary, Rt Hon Ruth Kelly MP in a speech at the Green Alliance event, ‘On the front line: local government and climate change summit’ at Church House, Westminster.
• Read the CLG press release. The consultation is for three months ending on June 25th.
• The Micropower Council is an industry body of companies, Trade Associations, Professional Institutions and NGOs with interests in the promotion of microgeneration. Visit www.micropower.co.uk for further details.
• Today’s announcement by CLG was made following the passage into law of the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006. Section 10 of the Act requires the government to review the system of permitted development with a view to facilitating the greater uptake of microgeneration, form a view on necessary changes, and implement those changes.
• The Micropower Council was the prime mover behind the Act, one of the largest private members bills ever, sponsored by Labour backbencher Mark Lazarowicz, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith. The section of the Act on permitted development was an amendment to the bill taken from another private members bill that did not progress through parliament sponsored by Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test.
• The Act also contains a wide range of other measures to encourage the greater uptake of microgeneration, details of which can be found here