Scot Gov Permitted Development – Blowing in the Wind?

We were disappointed to see the recent changes to Permitted Development legislation in relation to the installation of free-standing domestic scale wind turbines (Class 6G).

New criteria stipulate that;

‘The wind turbine must comply with MCS Planning Standards for wind turbines, or equivalent standards’ and simultaneously that;

‘The blade tip height must not exceed 15m and the lowest part of the turbine blade must be at least 5m from the ground’.

On the face of it, the tightening of the criteria could be seen as an effort to streamline the Permitted Development process, removing any ambiguity and reducing the workload on overburdened, underfunded Planning Authorities. However, the resultant changes currently mean that nothing is eligible.

The MCS Scheme has been around for 12 years.? Its current list of accredited wind turbines runs to a single entry; an 11kW turbine with a 13m blade diameter. To qualify for Permitted Development, this turbine (with its 13m blade span) would need to be mounted such that the tip of the blade does not exceed 15m whilst also being a minimum of 5m off the ground…try working that one out.?

What ‘equivalent standards’ quoted in the criteria may offer an alternative to MCS Registration? We contacted a number of Planning Authorities where we currently have projects to find out what they would accept as an equivalent standard, and it turns out they don’t know either. It would appear that no guidance has been handed down on this from Scottish Government and that ‘equivalent standards’ are perhaps no more than a get out clause to avoid any accusations of an MCS monopoly on the microgeneration market, an accreditation system that for this technology is clearly no longer fit for purpose, given the development of British Standards as the technology matures.

Therefore, the installation of a free-standing domestic scale wind turbine, within the curtilage of a property, defaults to a full Planning Application. Which, following an increase in planning fees of 15.2% in December, carries an application cost of ￡1,440, rather than the ￡200 Permitted Development fee. This exceeds the cost of many of the pico turbines available on the market.

There is no doubt that planning legislation should protect our environment, our neighbours and our natural resources. However, these changes in criteria remove an opportunity that previously existed for the implementation of small scale, dispersed, renewable generation. A model that the Government and the grid network are keen to support. So why are we introducing more hurdles instead of paving the way?

In a week where Thursday’s news talked about trying to boost the economic growth of the nation, and Friday’s headlines were all about the increase in carbon emissions, where we should be leading, we seem to be going backwards.

We face many challenges here in the Highlands but renewable energy is one of our greatest assets and making it work for us is one of our greatest opportunities.?Why do we keep shooting ourselves in the foot?

The answer, to quote Bob Dylan, would appear to be ‘Blowing in the Wind….'

Kate Forbes MSP Scottish Renewables The Scottish Government SD Wind Energy Ryse Energy Marlec Renewables