1 Policy Framework
1. The Scottish Executive is committed to increasing the amount of renewable energy generated and used in Scotland. The policy framework for renewable energy is set out in National Planning Policy Guideline ( NPPG) 6: Renewable Energy Developments and in Securing a Renewable Future: Scotland's Renewable Energy. A review of NPPG 6 is underway.
2. Planning Advice Note ( PAN) 45: Renewable Energy Technologies supports the policies in NPPG 6 by providing information and best practice on renewables developments, particularly larger installations such as wind farms and waste to energy plants.
3. Increased use of renewable energy, including micro-renewables, can make an important contribution to efforts to reduce carbon emissions in support of climate change and renewable energy objectives. The Scottish Executive is committed to making an equitable contribution to the UK Kyoto target to reduce 1990 levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5% by 2008-12, and has set a target that 40% of electricity generated in Scotland should come from renewable sources by 2020.
4. Microgeneration is widely accepted to be the production of heat (less than 45 kilowatt capacity) and/or electricity (less than 50kW capacity) from zero or low carbon source technologies. In addition to the carbon benefits, increased use of micro-renewables plays an important part in diversifying our energy mix ensuring security of energy supply. It can allow energy to be produced and consumed locally, help alleviate fuel poverty (especially in off-gas network areas) and play a part in meeting renewable energy targets.
5. Advances in micro-renewable technologies and increasing awareness of the benefits of renewables have helped ensure a steady rise in their use across Scotland. Micro renewables can create local employment, in terms of manufacturing and installation and in providing the biomass fuel supply chain.
6. There have been a number of demonstration projects that have played a promotional and educational role in highlighting the benefits of micro-renewables. However, as a result of advances in technology and as economies of scale evolve, micro-renewables are becoming an increasingly practical way of generating electricity and heat for homes and both commercial and public buildings. This PAN explains how the planning system can support the micro-renewables industry in the rollout of the technology. It seeks to encourage the rollout of micro-renewable technologies in a way that protects the environmental quality of both urban and rural areas.
7. There are a wide range of micro-renewable technologies. This Annex will focus on wind, solar thermal, photovoltaic, heat pumps and biomass technologies. Advice relating to the siting and design of micro-hydro schemes can be found in PAN 45. These various micro-renewable technologies can be used individually or in combination to provide renewable energy in all seasons. The best micro-renewable technology to use will vary depending on the local context, available resource and the energy requirements of the applicant. Both planners and installers need to take into account this balance when considering projects.
8. Installation of micro-renewables will need to be assessed against the requirements of the planning system. Micro-renewables can be retrofitted to existing buildings, where they may be the subject of a specific application; or they can be built into new developments. The planning controls and considerations to be taken into account will vary across different technologies. Small schemes can provide a limited but valuable contribution to renewables output, local and national energy requirements and towards tackling climate change. Planning authorities should not reject a proposal simply because the level of output is low.
9. Permitted development rights are extended to certain types of development through the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992 ( GPDO). The Executive has commissioned research into a review of the GPDO to consider updating the permitted development rights and related conditions and restrictions. This research will also consider the scope for increasing the permitted development rights for micro-renewables. Some micro-renewables may already be covered by permitted development rights, whilst other technologies will require a planning application - these issues are discussed further in this document