Question reference: S3W-20663
- Asked by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 6 February 2009
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Current status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 9 February 2009
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to lay before the Parliament the amendment order that will grant permitted development rights for microgeneration on domestic buildings.
Answer
I am pleased to announce that the relevant Amendment Order [the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Domestic Microgeneration) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2009] was laid before the Scottish Parliament on Friday 6 February 2009 [SSI 2009/34]. It will now be considered by the Subordinate Legislation Committee and the Local Government and Communities Committee.
The Order will enable householders to install certain energy generating equipment, such as solar panels, on their houses or in their gardens without applying for planning permission. Removing the barriers of cost and time will encourage greater uptake of micro-generation equipment, which will increase renewable energy generation and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Removing the barriers will also support the development of the micro-generation industry therefore contributing to the government''s efforts to ensure that Scotland''s planning system increases sustainable economic growth.