25-06-06

Planning laws in Britain could be changed to allow the installation of so-called micro-generation technologies like mini-turbines and solar panels, a government minister told.
Planning Minister Yvette Cooper said the Department for Communities and Local Government was reviewing legislation that appeared to discriminate against those wanting to install greenhouse gas reducing energy providers.

The leader of Britain's main opposition Conservative party, David Cameron, has made much of his intention to turn the "true blue" Tories green. He is currently waiting to hear whether he will be given permission to put a turbine on his west London home after neighbours complained that it would be unsightly.
Cooper told there seemed to be discrepancies in the current laws.
"It is patently absurd that you should be able to put a satellite dish on your house, but have to wrestle with the planning process for small-scale micro-generation, which is no more obtrusive and can have a real impact on tackling climate change," she said.

"We want much more micro-generation to be treated as permitted development. We are reviewing the impact of a wide range of technologies so we can take account of things such as the impact on neighbours or listed buildings before consulting on details later this year."
The government has introduced a £ 3.5-mm (EUR 5-mm, $ 6-mm) grant system for micro-generation systems, which can reduce householders' electricity bills and cut the overall demand for power.