There are government plans to exempt small-scale renewable energy installations from planning regulations, which are set to provide financial and environmental benefits for farmers.

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The new regulations have been welcomed by farmers’ organisations, especially the NFU, which said it had lobbied for the changes. Farmers hope that increased scope for generating renewable energy will help lower energy costs and their environmental footprints.  

NFU planning policy adviser Ivan Moss lauded the government’s decision, "The permitted development rights will reduce farmers’ energy costs and make their production greener, making it a win-win for everyone. It will also be a boost for the rural economy."

He continued, "Although some other installations such as air source heat pumps have been excluded at present, the NFU recognise their value and hope that government will recognise the part they have to play in the future of renewable energy generation."

However, Planning minister Greg Clark warned those hoping to take advantage of the deregulation to do so responsibly. He said, "The rights will mean that small-scale microgeneration installations can be installed without a planning application, so it is vital that the potential effects on the area where they will be installed are taken into account; it would undermine our ambitions for green energy production if reforms lead to widespread complaints."

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