Environmentalists hit out at microrenewable restrictions

Friends of the Earth Scotland has criticised a proposal that it believes could hold back the development of microrenewable technology in urban areas of Scotland.

A proposal put forward by the Scottish government has suggested that devices such as solar panels and wind turbines should be sited nearly 330 ft from the next nearest home, the Press and Journal reports.

The green group is concerned that this will prevent those whose homes are not in isolated positions from carrying out renovations to fit such devices.

Friends of the Earth Scotland chief executive Duncan McClaren, speaking as a consultation on the Scottish Government's microrenewable policy ended, said ministers should: "move swiftly to cut the unnecessary home renewables red tape."

In contrast with its view on the latest proposal, the announcement in March of a plan by the Scottish Government to drop planning permission requirements for householders wanting to fit microrenewbles was welcomed by the group as an important move to "reduce red tape".


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