ENVIRONMENT-MINDED homeowners will be cheered by moves to relax planning rules on the installation of turbines, solar panels and heat pumps, but green improvements to existing properties remain an expensive minefield.

Planning permisson will not be required for renewable energy technology on homes, where it does not affect neighbours and a clear benefit can be proved. It is unlikely to allow the siting of wind turbines in built-up urban areas.

The proposal, announced by the Communities Minister Ruth Kelly, is expected to be included in a planning White Paper this spring and may be adopted in October. Ms Kelly said: “It is important that we ensure that there are clear, common-sense safeguards on noise, siting and size and that the unique features of conservation areas are protected.”

There are 100,000 microgenerators in Britain, but the Government wants more than 1.3 million by 2020. But the cost of energy-generating products outstrips the savings, even including planning costs, which can be up to £1,000.

Existing homes produce 26 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions but there has been little to encourage homeowners to cut their share.

Dave Sowden, chief executive of the Micro-power Council, said: “The current planning system says ‘no’ unless there is a good reason to consider otherwise. In future it will say ‘yes’ within properly considered, predefined limits. This will make a big difference to many customers wanting to take up microgeneration but put off today by bureaucracy and inconsistency.”

David Cameron, the highest-profile proponent of the microgenerator, was forced to remove his turbine because its location breached planning permission. The process of gaining local authority approval can take three months. Energy efficiency will take on a new importance from June 1, when all home sellers will be required to provide an energy performance certificate as part of a home information pack. Kelvin Mac-Donald, director of policy and research at the Royal Town Planning Institute, said: “These proposals relate only to microgeneration on houses so they are no more than a first step. It should be made just as easy to install well-designed microgeneration equipment on flats.”

Energy-saving materials, such as insulation and efficient boilers, will attract a reduced VAT of 5 per cent, down from 17.5 per cent. But this Budget measure falls short of the stamp-duty exemption granted to new zero-carbon homes.

Those who wish to make the most of existing housing stock are finding the process problematic. Converting living space into a workshop or studio for homeworking, thus reducing travelling, requires planning approval and may lead to an increased council tax bill.

Homeowners have found even the improvement of summerhouses, fences and driveway lighting and changes to their gardens to be contentious (see report, far right). Homeowners making improvements, green or otherwise, remain well advised to consult planning officials. Information on alterations is available at www. planningportal.gov.uk

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