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SMOOTHING THE PATH TO GREEN POWER

By Martin Neville - Wednesday, July 18, 2007
IT WILL be easier for households to generate their own green power in future.
Homeowners will be able to install domestic microgeneration equipment, such as wind turbines, without having to go through the formal planning process.
The Department for Communities and Local Government has published the proposed changes, which are subject to a consultation paper.
And the IW Council said this week it is also to investigate how it can compel developers to incorporate low-energy design and technology in new builds.
This will mean new policies in the Island Plan, requiring developers to take steps to ensure new homes or communities have regard to green issues.
Both measures were unanimously agreed by the council’s planning committee at its last meeting.
But while promoting the introduction of more green power sources, the council is also to investigate how it can prevent a proliferation of such energy-saving devices causing visual and noise nuisances.
“We are keen to make it as easy as possible for people to embrace the latest green technology,” said Cllr George Brown, cabinet member for economy, tourism, assets and planning.
“Part of that involves removing hurdles that may dissuade them from doing their bit. But in doing so, we must strike a careful balance to make sure that encouraging more energy-saving devices does not compromise the visual amenity of an area or create associated problems, such as noise.”
The authority has now to agree then issue public guidance on exactly what can be done as permitted development, without planning permission.
Andrew Pegram, the council’s development control manager, said: “There are clearly opportunities to incorporate renewable energy projects into all new developments and existing buildings, including small-scale renewable energy schemes utilising technologies such as solar panels, biomass heating, small-scale wind turbines, photovoltaic cells and combined heat and power schemes.”