Local Government and Communities Committee, 04 Mar 2009

Meeting date: Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Official Report 196KB pdf

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Subordinate Legislation

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Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Domestic Microgeneration) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2009 (SSI 2009/34)

We move on to agenda item 2, which is consideration of subordinate legislation. Members have seen the order and have not raised any concerns prior to the meeting. A letter from Scottish Renewables has been circulated. Do members have any concerns about, or require clarification of, the order?

I will take silence as a no. The letter raises a number of issues. I am sure that we can come to agreement on the order, but perhaps we can ask the Government to comment on the issues that have been raised.

My reading of the letter is that there is a concern that the range of permitted developments is not wide enough to encompass all the microtechnologies that might be appropriate. As far as Scottish Renewables is concerned, the omissions are air-source heat pumps and small micro wind turbines and the installation of such devices on dwelling-houses and flats. I can appreciate the standpoint of an industry that wants to develop such technologies, to roll them out and to sell units, but it would be interesting to know why the Government has been reticent about those two technologies and whether it proposes at some stage to introduce further legislation to deal with them.

In particular, I would like to know about the situation as regards the potential for such developments to cause visual or noise intrusion—people in my constituency have certainly complained about the noise generated by a wind turbine and its impact on neighbouring properties. I would also be interested to find out how the planning rules on such matters apply to dwellings in conservation areas, which cover substantial parts of Edinburgh. Are they excluded, or are they still subject to the same regulation?

There are no further comments. David McLetchie has identified a number of areas on which he would appreciate clarification.

An evidence session would not be necessary. Perhaps we could be provided with a note.

Does everyone agree to that suggestion?

Members indicated agreement.

Do members agree that they do not wish to make any recommendation on the order?

Members indicated agreement.

The next committee meeting will take place on Wednesday 11 March, when we will hear from Action 4 Equality Scotland and unions. In addition, we will take evidence from Bruce Crawford, the Minister for Parliamentary Business. See you all next week.

Meeting closed at 11:47.