Businesses to go green..

New planning rules are to be drawn up in a bid to boost the number of businesses which use renewable energy, the government has announced.

It hopes that less red tape will encourage businesses including shops, post offices and pubs to install 'green' technologies such as solar panels and wind turbines.

Environmental and planning consultancy Entec will look at ways of making it easier to install such equipment, which the government says at present can lead to increased costs and lengthy delays.

It is estimated that 30 to 40 per cent of the UK's electricity could be met by installing microgeneration equipment to all types of building by 2050. At present commercial buildings account for 18 per cent of carbon emissions.

Businesses currently hoping to install new green technologies face costs of up to £1,500 for a planning application, which can take eight to 16 weeks to be considered by councils with no guarantee of approval.

Communities secretary Hazel Blears has asked Entec to see whether it would be feasible for renewable energy equipment to be included as 'permitted developments' so that they would not need specific planning permission.

She said that the plans could be part of the means to achieving a zero-carbon culture.

"This government is committed to bringing forward changes that will allow us to tackle the growing challenge we face in climate change," Ms Blears added.

"Whether it is your local supermarket, pub or the place where you work, green technology could soon be playing a big role in powering the building whilst cutting carbon emissions and fuel bills too."
( Source:- Adfero)