Heating and Ventilating

The Green Energy Bill, which seeks to define and promote green energy, has passed its third reading in the House of Commons.
The Private Member's bill, put forward by Conservative MP Peter Ainsworth, aims to support the development of green energy by requiring a revision of the government's microgeneration strategy, including feed-in tariffs.

The bill seeks a change to permitted development rights to remove the need for planning permission to be sought for air source heat pumps, domestic-scale wind turbines and other forms of renewable technology being installed in domestic properties.

The bill now goes forward to the House of Lords.

Dave Sowden, chief executive of the Micropower Council said: “In particular we welcome the government’s agreement to take a renewed strategic look at policy on microgeneration, and to the prospect of removing the last serious piece of red tape affecting micro-wind and air source heat pumps.”

Peter Ainsworth's bill also aims to ensure any increase in a domestic property's value, caused by the installation of energy efficiency measures or microgeneration systems, will not result in higher rates bills for non-domestic properties or higher council tax.

Peter Ainsworth MP said: “I was truly heartened by the fact that the main thrust of the bill had genuine cross-party support and the support of the government'.