Make it easier to get a wind turbine
October 16 2008
Alan Whitehead spoke this week in Parliament to press Housing Ministers to make it easier for Southampton residents to reduce their fuel bills by installing micro wind turbines on their property.
Earlier this year Government Ministers announced new rules that meant from April 6, all homeowners were able to install microgeneration equipment, like solar panels, without needing to get planning permission, as long as there is clearly no impact on others. However, micro wind turbines were not included in the list of microgeneration equipment.
Dr Whitehead raised the matter at Communities and Local Government Question Time when he asked:
I congratulate the Government on introducing measures to include microgeneration in general permitted development order arrangements. Does my hon. Friend intend to bring all microgeneration under that order, and thereby end the current anomaly whereby some are included while others await inclusion?
Housing Minister Iain Wright responded as follows:
Yes, and I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for his work on environmental improvements. On 6 April, we provided permitted development rights with regard to microgeneration with one or two exceptions—most notably wind turbines, because of noise issues. The balance to be struck between neighbours' interests and the ability to improve one's own home is key. I hope we can extend as much as possible permitted development rights to ensure we can reduce as much as possible the carbon footprint from homes.
Speaking after the House of Commons exchange, Dr Whitehead said:
“The energy used to heat, light and run our homes accounts for 27% of all of the UK's carbon emissions. Microgeneration has the potential to massively cut both fuel bills and carbon footprints, but too many homeowners get put off by the time and the expense of getting planning permission”
He added:
“I know full well the problems caused by red tape in the planning system. I press the government to include micro wind-turbines to the permitted development regulations, with suitable safeguards for their placement, to make it easier for Southampton residents to save money and the planet.”
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