"Green intent must be matched by green action on micro-generation" – Mick Bates AM

12.00.00am GMT Tue 9th Dec 2008

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM Mick Bates has welcomed the news that planning regulations on micro-generation for domestic properties will be relaxed in the New Year, following a statement by the Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, but warns that this must be matched by funding if the Assembly is to reach its 2012 target for the installation of micro-generation units across Wales.

Commenting Mick said:

"For too long planning controls have been a barrier to the development of micro-generation across Wales. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for a relaxation of planning regulations, to make it easier for households to generate their own energy.

"With energy prices running high micro-generation technology has huge potential to help people produce their own energy, to reduce their carbon emissions and help save money on fuel bills.

"I am pleased that at long last the red tape on micro-generation for domestic properties will be removed, so that we can see an increase in installations of green technologies across Wales.

"However, while this is welcome news, if the Labour-Plaid Government is to reach its target to install 30,000 new micro-generation heating and electricity units by 2012 then it cannot rely on goodwill alone.

"Sadly the cost of many micro-generation technologies is still too high for people to afford. It is crucial that the Assembly's green intent is matched by green action, with substantial investment in a Welsh grant fund system for the installation of renewable technologies in homes."

Notes:The statement by Ieuan Wyn Jones, Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport (December 9th 2008) on the Third Economic Summit and Economic Conditions in Wales states that:

"We also plan to bring forward amending regulations in the New Year, relaxing planning controls for micro-generation equipment on domestic properties, equivalent to new provisions in England."

In 2006, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM Mike German proposed the following private members bill, calling for a relaxation of the planning regulations for micro-generation technologies on domestic properties:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, acting under Standing Order 31.2:

Supports in principle:

Amending Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, to permit the installation, alteration or replacement of micro-generation technologies in or on a dwellinghouse [or within the curtilege of a dwellinghouse].

Statement of legal powers:

The Assembly is enabled under sections 59, 61 and 333 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to amend the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.

Such legislation would ensure that planning requirements facilitated the installation of micro-generation technologies.