The Government's aim is to allow the easier installation of microgeneration technologies like solar panels, heat pumps and domestic wind turbines.

 

The AONB's Joint Advisory Committee has accepted the need for the development of microgeneration installations at an appropriate scale because it recognises the potentially harmful effect of climate change on the AONB, and because some technologies (especially generation from biomass) have the capacity to reinforce landscape character and contribute to sustainable development (by bringing neglected woodland into management and by providing opportunities for farm diversification for example).

 

The Committee has actively promoted investment in renewables through the AONB's Sustainable Development Fund (over £60 000 of grant was allocated to renewable energy projects in the AONB in 2006/07 financial year) and has supported all planning applications for micro renewables (including domestic wind turbines) since its inception in 1995.

 

The Government announced recently that from 6 April 2008, planning permission for installation of microgeneration equipment excluding wind turbines will no longer be required in most cases, except in villages that have Conservation Area status (there are 14 of these in the AONB) and in the immediate vicinity of a World Heritage Site like Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.

 

There are exceptions to this, and any householder with plans to install biomass heating systems, photovoltaic panels and/or solar hot water heating devices are recommended to check with the local planning authority for more details.

 

Harrogate Borough Council has published an advice note called 'Microgeneration Equipment - Permitted Development for Solar Thermal and Solar Photovoltaics and Need for Planning Permission'. It is available from Harrogate Borough Council's website: http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/PDF/DS-P-MicrogenerationEquip.pdf

 

This new permitted development right does not yet apply to wind turbines, and planning permission is still required in the AONB and elsewhere.

 

We will be producing guidance for householders on best practice on design and siting of microgeneration equipment later this year.