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The Government's microgeneration strategy published in March 2006 estimated that 30-40 per cent of the UK?s electricity demand could be met by installing microgeneration equipment on all types of building by 2050. For example, solar PV panels could produce about a third of electricity demands for an average house, whilst solar water heating system could typically provide 50% of a household's hot water needs over the year.

However, installation of domestic microgeneration equipment is currently constrained by uncertainty over whether a planning application is required before installation, and if so, how to go about doing so. The costs and time associated with an application to obtain planning permission has been a disincentive to many.

In response to this situation, the Government commissioned a study using an impact approach to look at the rules governing the need to obtain planning permission for microgeneration with the aim of making it easier for householders to install microgeneration equipment.

As a result of this study, and announced today, the government is proposing that ?broadly all forms of householder microgeneration should be permitted without the need to apply for planning permission, subject to certain limitations and conditions on noise, vibration and visual amenity to control impact on others. At the same time local planning authorities will retain the right to restrict planning permission in exceptional circumstances where the benefit of the technology is clearly questionable and outweighed by its impact on the local environment.?

The details of the government's proposal are set out here.

Local Authorities will be urged to make a positive presumption to domestic microgeneration installations, except under circumstances where the dwelling is either in a conservation area or a World Heritage Site.