Planning and other statutory consents

Alison LaxProject Manager – Low Carbon Communities

Planning permission and other consents● Appears complex● Just need to know where to look for advice

and who to ask● Can be frustrating and bureaucratic● Don’t ignore it – it won’t go away● People doing their jobs

Permissions required●Planning Permission●Building regulations consent●Abstraction / impoundment

licences●others

General principles● Check what consents required● Permitted Development Rights● Area specific guidelines

● Conservation areas● Listed buildings● National Parks● Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Speak to people● Local Council Planning Departments

● Duty officer● Pre-application advice

● Environment Agency

Specific projects (1)● Biomass

● Where is the boiler and fuel store?● Fuel deliveries● Local air quality regulations

● Solar Energy● Permitted Development for most domestic

properties, but not for community or commercial buildings – check

Specific projects (2)● Hydro

● Planning issues● Visual impact● Construction impact● access

● Abstration and /or impoundment licence● Right to take water● Conditions regulating flow depletion, protection of

fish and wider ecosystem, protection of river amenity

Specific projects (3)● Wind turbines

● Area specific guidelines● Birds● Bats● MOD operations● Civil Aviation● Noise● Shadow Flicker● Tall structures with moving parts

● controversial

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk

http://www.roughguide.to/communityenergy/making-it-happen/

Local Council websites

Community Energy England

http://www.planlocal.org.uk/

THANK YOU