DTI announces that homeowners will need planning in place before being eligible for renewable grants
Homeowners will need planning permission in place before applying for grants towards small-scale renewables under new rules announced today.
The surprise DTI decision follows an announcement last month that Communities minister Ruth Kelly was considering scrapping planning requirements for microgeneration installations such as PVs, solar panels and wind turbines.
The domestic renewable grants programme was suspended by the DTI in March following which led to the monthly grant allocations being distributed within hours.
Other changes to the application process include the abolition of the monthly cap and a £2500 maximum limit on grants available per household.
The remaining £12m of grants available in the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) will be made available from May 29.
The DTI said the take-up of grants had previously been delayed by planning consents not being in place and building delays.
Since the launch of the LCBP in April 2006 the government has spent £6.8m funding 2175 installations including 242 mini-turbines, 313 solar PVs and 1467 solar thermal heating systems.
- The closing date for responses to the consultation paper Changes to Permitted Development, which is proposing the removal of planning requirements for domestic renewables, is 27 June 2007.
