Scottish Government

1 Introduction

Introduction

1.1 This introductory chapter sets out the purpose of this study, outlines the methodology and provides an overview of the report structure.

Purpose of this study

1.2 According to the Department of Trade and Industry's ( DTI) Microgeneration Strategy published in March 2006 ¹, about 40% of the UK's electricity demand could be met by installing microgeneration equipment on all types of buildings by 2050. Microgeneration technologies can also supply local heat demands and could therefore potentially help the Scottish Government achieve its objectives of ensuring reliable sustainable energy supply while tackling climate change.

1.3 It is acknowledged that world-leading Scottish manufacturers of both domestic wind turbine ( DWT) and air source heat pump ( ASHP) microgeneration technologies exist with the potential for local wealth creation.

1.4 Current circumstances relating to popular demand, climate change, renewables targets and the economy thus provide the microgeneration industry with the opportunity to expand. The Scottish Government is keen to assist the speed of this with the removal of unnecessary barriers.

1.5 A permitted development is one where planning permission is granted as a right and there is no need to apply to the planning authority. Householders can make certain types of minor changes without needing to apply for planning permission. These are called Permitted Development Rights ( PDR) and derive from a general planning permission granted not by the local authority but by Parliament.

1.6 The purpose of this study is to identify, understand and evaluate the benefits and impacts associated with both DWT and ASHP so as to provide the evidence for appropriate recommendations to Scottish Ministers on the granting of PDR in planning legislation to the two technologies.

Methodology

1.7PDR had not previously been granted to either DWTs or ASHPs due to a number of unresolved issues which required further investigation. These issues related to the specific impacts of each technology on people, natural and built heritage.

1.8 Although there are some common issues, each technology has its own set of characteristics and was therefore treated separately in this research. The following tasks were therefore undertaken for both DWTs and ASHPs:

• Assessment of the technology with regard to character and potential for meeting heat and power demands
• Identification of any potential impacts
• Evidence of actual and possible impacts
• Determination of reasonable or allowable impact levels

1.9 The cost benefit balance of each technology was examined to assess firstly whether it was worthwhile installing and secondly, what evidence there was that the installation could cause a significant impact on neighbours or amenity.

1.10 A large and comprehensive body of evidence was investigated. The evidence gathered specifically related to:

• DWT and ASHP technology status: in terms of technical specification, performance, innovation, efficiency improvement, cost, current and future trends
• Technology and Manufacturing Assurance: in terms of certification schemes, independent third party compliance and performance testing and health and safety
• Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: in terms of the current Scottish legislative framework in which PDR reside, and any likely changes predicted.

1.11 The 'impact approach' ² was chosen as being that most appropriate on which to evidentially base PDR as it provides the best route to satisfactorily mitigating the actual realised impacts.

1.12 As all development will have an associated cost, the likely negative impacts of each technology were deduced using the best available evidence from both the literature, and through direct consultation with experts in the field. A written questionnaire was used to gain insight from Scotland's leading practitioners into the technologies and their impacts.

1.13 The DWT and ASHP impacts were therefore identified and catalogued. Each identified impact was then further researched and consulted through a series of Stakeholder workshops to determine a suitable or allowable impact level under which a development or technology could obtain PDR.

1.14 In addition the practicalities and operational issues of granting PDR were investigated at the Stakeholder workshops so as to produce a pragmatic and workable regime for all concerned.

1.15 Figure 1 describes the logic chain that captures the basic methodology.

Figure 1: Outline methodology to produce recommended PDR criteria for domestic wind turbines and air-source heat pumps

Source: SQW Energy

The Structure of this Report

1.16 The remainder of this report is structured as follows:

• Chapter 2 examines the policy context and current status of Permitted Development Rights for DWT and ASHP.
• Chapter 3 provides technology reviews for DWT, ASHP, the associated Microgeneration Certification Scheme ( MCS), and the Microgeneration Installers Scheme ( MIS).
• Chapter 4 briefly outlines the stakeholder consultation methodology.
• Chapter 5 explores the stakeholder views and provides an analysis of the findings on PDR for ASHPs. An impact matrix summarising the key points concludes this chapter.
• Chapter 6 explores the stakeholder views and provides an analysis of the findings on PDR for DWTs. An impact matrix summarises the key points.
• Chapter 7 sets out the options for a PD regime including the practicalities and operational issues. Recommendations and their justification are outlined.
• Chapter 8 presents the conclusions and summarised PDR criteria recommendations for both DWTs and ASHPs.