German re-generates green private members bill

1.08.44pm GMT Mon 13th Nov 2006

Mike German today re-launched his private members bill which will make it easier for households to generate their own energy in Wales.

The bill will remove the red tape from going green, and encourage micro-generation in Wales.

Mr German, Assembly leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: "Welsh Liberal Democrats have been the most vocal in opposing nuclear power in Wales. We want Wales to be nuclear-free. Micro-generation is the way forward for Wales. To be in a position to say no to large scale energy projects, we have to have an alternative. This bill shows us taking action to provide that alternative.

Wind turbines can be used to generate electricity

"It strikes me as strange that a satellite dish can be fitted without any problems, but solar panels, or a small wind turbine would need planning permission. Where panels or turbines are small and unobtrusive, there should be no need for energy-sapping bureaucracy which puts people off taking green action.

"I am disappointed that the Labour government has rejected my proposal to offer cash incentives to drive down the cost of going green. One of the hallmarks of the last three years has been that their green rhetoric has not been matched by green action. However, given the short time available before the end of the Assembly year, I have decided it is better to achieve a little, than to do nothing.

"Giving the proper priority to green power is clearly an idea which will have to wait for a future Welsh Liberal Democrat government to implement."

Notes:

A drafting error meant the bill originally proposed in July was not able to be debated. This included a council tax discount for producers of green home energy. After discussions with the Labour Assembly Government, Mike has agreed to proceed with the non-contentious part of the bill in order to ensure it is achieved before the end of this Assembly term.

Details' of Mike's Bill

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, acting under Standing Order 31.2:

Supports in principle:

Amending Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, to permit the installation, alteration or replacement of micro-generation technologies in or on a dwellinghouse [or within the curtilege of a dwellinghouse].

Statement of legal powers:

The Assembly is enabled under sections 59, 61 and 333 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to amend the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.

Such legislation would ensure that planning requirements facilitated the installation of micro-generation technologies.

Resource implications:

Amending planning requirements brings few costs itself - it is an administrative change.

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