Planning Permission
On 21st May 2007, the Government set out recommendations for allowing micro-generation on domestic properties. Broadly speaking these proposals presume no planning permission, except where a property is sited in a Conservation Area or a World Heritage Site.
At this time, this is not legislation, but a proposal. You are urged to express your views on this proposal either to Ruth Kelly or to your local MP. Let TenBees know what you think too, we will keep tabs on the progress of this legislation.
Solar Panels
| Roof or Wall Mounted |
Limition
|
| Height above roof/from wall |
150mm and not higher than the highest part of the roof |
| Restriction in conservation areas and World Heritage Sites |
Development facing on to and visible from a highway |
| % Roof coverage permitted |
No restriction |
| Freestanding |
Limition
|
| Height of unit |
4m |
| Distance to the boundary of a highway or a neighbour's property |
5m |
| Size of array |
No more than 3m deep or wide – equating to a maximum surface area of 9m2 |
| Restriction in conservation areas and World Heritage Sites |
Development facing on to and visible from a highway |
Wind Turines
| On Building |
Limition
|
| Height (including blade) above highest part of roof |
3m |
| Blade Diameter |
2m |
| Noise |
See Note |
| Vibration |
See Note |
| Number of turbines |
One on a building 15m or less in height.
Four on buildings above 15m. |
| Restriction in conservation areas and World Heritage Sites |
No permitted development |
| Freestanding |
Limition
|
| Height (including blade) |
11m |
| Blade Diameter |
2m |
| Noise |
See Note |
| Vibration |
See Note |
| Restriction in conservation areas and World Heritage Sites |
Development facing on to and visible from a highway |
Noise Limitations
The design and installation of a Mounted Wind Turbine should
- cause the internal noise level, due to
noise from the wind turbine alone, in any mode of operation not to exceed a level of 30dB
LAEQ, 5min when measured 1m from any acoustically reflecting surface within a
habitable room with windows closed of any dwelling within the same structure upon
which the wind turbine is mounted;
- cause an external noise level, due to
noise from the wind turbine alone, in any mode of operation not to exceed 40dB LAEQ, 5min,
measured 1m from the façade at the window to a habitable room of any neighbouring
residential property;
- cause the external noise level due to
noise from the wind turbine alone, in any mode of operation not to exceed 40dB LAEQ, 5min,
measured under free-field conditions, over an area of not less than 50% of a private
outdoor space not solely associated with the host dwelling
What is 30dB LAEQ, 5min?
This means, equivilent average sound measured using the A-Weighting (which is a measure based on the sensitivity of the human ear).
In other words, does the human ear detect a sound louder than 30dB over 5 mins?
Vibration Limitations
The design and installation of a Mounted Wind Turbine should
- cause the vibration level from the wind turbine
alone, in any mode of operation, not to exceed a level of 0.5mms-1 (PPV), in the
vertical (z-axis) direction, when measured on the floor towards the centre of any
habitable room of any dwelling within the same structure upon which the wind turbine is
mounted.
Geo-Thermal
For all types of heat pumps, due to the excavation of trenches or bores, it is important
to consider whether archaeological remains exist on the site and if this has any
implications for the works involved. This, however, is not a change in policy.
Planning Portal
The Government have launched a new service on the Planning Portal which provides users with information about microgeneration and energy saving. This includes guidance for the general public on solar electricity/thermal, small scale wind turbines, ground source heat pumps, small scale hydro electricity and biomass, and points on the planning and the Building Regulations surrounding these energy saving techniques.
The guide also provides other energy saving tips for householders, such as glazing windows, loft insulation, cavity/solid wall insulation, floor insulation and more.
The online service is free to use and can be found on the Planning Portal
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