Written question WQ83660
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Climate Change
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 6 days
Question
What steps is the Welsh Government taking to review the permitted development criteria as they pertain to solar photovoltaics to ensure that installations are made easier?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Climate Change
Most solar panel installations on domestic and non-domestic property fall under permitted development rights and do not need express planning permission as they have deemed permission by virtue of Part 40 and Part 43 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended). Small scale domestic ground based solar PV is also permitted. Permitted development rights are subject to conditions in relation to issues such as scale, position and visual impact.
The Welsh Government supports all forms of renewable energy. In addition to solar PV, most other small scale technologies, such as ground source, water source and air source heat pumps, and domestic wind turbines, also benefit from permitted development rights.
There are no plans to review the permitted development rights for solar photovoltaics at this time.