Changes to green building programme

From next month, homeowners, schools and other community organisations interested in fitting their own green energy systems will not need planning permission, the Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks today announced.An overhaul of the Government's Low Carbon Building Programme (LCBP) from April will mean no planning permission is requiredto install devices like solar panels, ground and water source heat pumps and biomass systems. Relaxation of the planning rules for micro wind and air source heat pumps is expected to follow shortly.

The changes will also see more generous grants for schools and public buildings, while the £10m support still available to householders will be extended until 2010 for new applications.

The changes in full are:

* From April 1st LCBP Household stream will be extended to June 2010 or as long as funds are available, whichever is the sooner.

* From April 1st there will be an increase in grant caps to 50% across all technologies for the schools, charities and public sector phase of LCBP.

* From 6th April, many homeowners will be able to install microgeneration equipment, like solar panels, without needing to get planning permission; as long as there is clearly no impact on others.