The Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Greg Clark)

I have laid before Parliament statutory instruments that amend the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. These amendments and this statement fulfil requirements in the Green Energy (Definition and Promotion) Act 2009 to consider amending the 1995 Order to facilitate the installation of equipment for microgeneration on non-domestic land. The new measures will also bring the freedoms for non-domestic premises into line with those for domestic properties.

Bringing these measures forward demonstrates the Government’s commitment to the environment and to tackling climate change, by reducing the regulatory burdens that face microgeneration industries. They will also be good for the economy and for job creation.

The rights will mean that small scale microgeneration installations can be installed without a planning application, so it is vital that the potential effects on the area where they will be installed are taken into account. It would undermine our ambitions for green energy production if reforms lead to widespread complaints.

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