Briefing on the Changes to Permitted Development Consultation

1
Briefing on the Changes to Permitted Development
Consultation

• Tanya Christensen
• Microgeneration Yorkshire
• Windy Network
• 9th May 2007

2
Overview of Presentation

• General Background
• Relevance to other planning tools
• Background to the Consultation
• Principles underpinning the work
• General issues for Microgeneration
• Noise Criteria
• Wind Turbines
• Proposed Permitted Development

3
General Background

• Installation of Microgeneration on domestic
  properties
• Delivered through amendments to the General
  Permitted Development Order 95
• Only covers England
• Closing date 27th June

4
Relevance to other planning tools

• PPS22 Renewable Energy Companion Guide
  (non-statutory!)
• PPS Planning and Climate Change (draft) expects
  planning to be a positive force for change,
  creating an attractive environment for innovation
• Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH)
• Building a Greener Future Brings together
  planning, building regulations and the CSH

5
Background to the consultation

• Householders Development Consent Review (HDCR),
  January 2005.
• Examined ways of reducing bureaucracy for
  householders seeking to improve their homes
• HDCR Steering Group Report 11 recs
• 1st Stage, Reform Part 1 2 of the GDPO
• Entec Report Review the provisions of GDPO.
  Using an impact approach to make detailed
  recommendations on how GDPO could be amended.

6
Principles underpinning the work

• Clear and robust arrangements should be in place
  so that the interests of neighbours and the wider
  community and environment are considered
• Changes to current arrangements should be based
  on evidence and fully tested
• There should be full consultation on detailed
  proposals for taking forward the recommendations

7
General Issues for Microgeneration

• Principle of an impact approach
• Protection for designated areas
• Listed Buildings
• Noise (Wind ASHPs)
• Controls on Visual Impact
• Sites of Biodiversity Geological Conservation
  Value
• Archeologically sensitive areas

8
Noise Criteria

• Limits on noise levels for wind turbines and air
  source heat pumps
• Rather than distance-based, now stating noise
  levels at which likely to cause annoyance or
  sleep disturbance
• WHO 35dB guideline, subtract 5dB to allow for
  multiple turbines in vicinity
• Not a single limit but three criteria, as needs
  to protect both internal and external environment
• Habitable room not bathroom, kitchen or toilet

9
Noise Criteria

• Structure borne noise applied within a habitable
  room with windows closed
• Airborne noise, internal space applied 1m from
  the external façade at the window to a habitable
  room of any neighbouring residential property
• Airborne noise, external space 50 of outdoor
  private space to be protected
• Use of 2nd 3rd criterion together will
  determine siting of turbine away from façade of
  neighbouring properties

10
Wind Turbines

• 3rd largest deployment potential, after solar
  thermal PV
• More characteristics with potential planning
  impacts than any other microgen technology
• Four key areas size scale safety nuisance
  and the impact on bats
• Potential impact of domestic wind turbines on
  radar (further work)
• Entec visual impact on local landscape small if
  turbines small in size
• Structural stability covered by Building Regs

11
Proposed Permitted Development
Wind on Building Limitation Height
(including blade) above highest part of roof 3m
Blade Diameter
2m Noise
As outlined at
Annex 2 Vibration
As outlined at Annex 2 Number of
turbines One on a building 15m or
less in height
Four on buildings above 15m.
Restriction in conservation areas and World
Heritage Sites No permitted
development Wind Stand Alone Height
(including blade)
11m Blade Diameter
2m Noise
As
outlined at Annex 2 Vibration
As outlined at Annex
2 Restriction in conservation areas and World
Heritage Sites Development
facing on to
and visible from a
highway