Domestic Microgeneration Equipment
The Government has announced changes to the permitted
development regime for householders to encourage the installation
of domestic microgeneration equipment. This clarifies that from 6th
April 2008 planning permission is not required for the installation
of certain types of equipment including solar photovoltaic and
solar thermal panels and equipment on or within the curtilage of
dwelling houses. This also includes an external building in
the grounds of a dwelling house and a building which consists of
flats. In addition permission is now not required for ground
and water source heat pumps and flues relating to biomass heating
and combined heat and power systems.
There are, however, restrictions on the size, position and
location for such equipment particularly on those properties which
are listed buildings or located within a Conservation Area.
Details of these can be found by the following link to the
new
regulations.
As regulations can be complex householders are encouraged to
contact the District Council with details
of their proposals in writing to receive confirmation of the
position before installing any new equipment. This can be
followed up via the following link to the
Householder
Enquiry form.