Government announces “overhaul” of planning rules to accelerate clean energy

Announcing the reforms on Tuesday (21 April), the Department said the measures would help protect Britain against energy crises caused by international events.

Among the changes, the Government said it would streamline “outdated planning rules to unblock the grid and speed up clean, homegrown power”.

This would cut delays in grid upgrades and renewables and help developers find new routes to build and connect their projects faster, it said.

It also announced plans to legislate this summer to introduce permitted development rights to expand EV charging provision, allowing for cross-pavement charging solutions and associated charging points.

As part of this, the Government will "imminently" launch a consultation on changes to building regulations and the introduction of an Ability to Charge, it said.

The statement added: "This will look to increase EV charging provision in new buildings and those undergoing major renovations, as well as give renters and leaseholders greater access to charging by making it easier to request and install charge points."

In addition, the Government will consult this summer on changes to permitted development rights to make it easier to install air source heat pumps. The consultation will explore expanding permitted development, including extending to non-domestic buildings and amending some siting restrictions, while seeking views on how to enable more installations in flats.

Elsewhere, the Government said it would work to "massively expand" renewables across the public estate, including using brownfield land, industrial sites and railway sites to host solar panels and wind turbines.

This could unlock up to 10 GW of capacity, powering the equivalent of around five million homes, it claimed.

An additional £100m in funding was also announced for the Social Housing Fund, subject to final approvals, to support the delivery of up to a total of 57,000 solar installations for households this financial year.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “As we face the second fossil fuel shock in less than five years, the lesson for our country is clear: The era of fossil fuel security is over, and the era of clean energy security must come of age.

“That’s why we’re doubling down on clean power, to give our country energy security and bring down bills for good.”

Adam Carey