Red tape slashed to help firms go green

Communities secretary Hazel Blears announced that environmental and planning consultancy Entec has been asked to draw up new planning rules that will ensure the system is doing more to encourage the use of renewable energy. The research will specifically look at removing barriers to installing small-scale renewable and low carbon technology equipment.

At present, businesses must go through the planning system if they want to install technologies such as solar panels or small wind turbines. A planning application can cost about £1500 and take up to 16 weeks to be considered by councils, with no guarantee that it will be approved.

Blears has asked Entec to investigate how renewable energy equipment can be included as permitted developments, which means the changes can be made without the need for specific planning permission as long as there is no impact on others or the local environment. The research will also consider what safeguards will need to be in place for circumstances where the benefit of the technology is clearly questionable and outweighed by its impact on the local environment.

Entec is expected to report back to the government before the end of the year.