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Highlands & Islands Woodfuel Group
The first meeting of the Highlands and Islands Woodfuel Group will take place in Inverness on Thursday 23rd February. Read More...Green Deal
The Energy Act has become law setting in stone the legal framework for the Green Deal, which will be launched in Autumn this year. The Green Deal will revolutionise the energy efficiency of the nation’s homes and businesses. It will help people insulate against rising energy prices, creating homes which are warmer and cheaper to run. Read More...Regulations
The planning system controls the use of land and what's built on it. It's enforced by local planning authorities. To find your local planning authority follow this link.
Always check with your local authority to find out if you require planning permission or not. The following information is for guidance only.
When is planning permission needed?
Planning permission is almost always required for 'development' on any significant scale. This term is defined in law and covers a wide range of building and engineering work as well as changes in the way land and buildings are used. Planning law also covers changes to listed buildings and control of advertisements.
However installing certain renewable energy technologies, such as solar panels and biomass boilers, has now been made a lot simpler thanks to Permitted development rights introduced on 6th April 2008 in England and 12th March 2009 in Scotland. Read more.....
Planning Advice Notes provide advice and information on technical planning matters:
PLANNING ADVICE NOTE 45 (Revised 2002) : RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
Planning for Micro Renewables Annex to PAN 45 Renewable Energy Technologies
What are Building Regulations?
The Building Regulations set standards for the design and construction of buildings, primarily to ensure the safety and health for people in or around those buildings, but also for energy conservation and access to and about buildings.
Energy Efficiciency Regulations
Technical Handbook 6 (2009) provides guidance on compliance with the energy efficiency measures for both new and existing dwellings as required by the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004.
Low carbon equipment and building regulations
A guide to safe and sustainable construction
Introduction
This document is the Introduction to the Low Carbon Equipment Guide. These guides outline the main features of each technology and identifies issues that need to be considered in the design and installation of low carbon equipment, for compliance with the building regulations, including good practice to optimise the energy efficiency of installations.
Guidance on Combustion appliances
Most installation work relating to solid fuel, wood biomass and the associated systems for heating, controls, hot water etc. are subject to Building Regulations. Most work is notifiable to the Local Authority where you live.
An existing chimney or a new flue or chimney installation must be given a visual inspection to check that it is in good order, clear of obstructions and is of a suitable size and type for the appliance you plan to install. It may be necessary to sweep the flue (which should always be done anyway before fitting a stove or lining a chimney) and also, if necessary, to do a smoke test to check for gas tightness.
General rules that apply include sufficient air supply, good ventilation, appropriate flues and chimneys, reuse of existing flues, and safe access to appliances for maintenance and repair.
Follow the links below to find a more description of the building regulations that apply to chimneys, flues, boilers and stoves.
Guidance on Combustion appliances and associated work not requiring a warrant
Domestic buildings:
Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 Regulation 5, Schedule 3:
Non-domestic buildings:
Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 Regulation 5, Schedule 3:
Technical Handbooks are available which provide guidance on achieving the standards set in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004.The new 2010 edition of the Technical Handbooks can be found by following the links below. They include amendments to building regulations which come into force on October 1, 2010.
The sections relevant for solid fuel are:
3.17.4 Solid Fuel appliance installations
3.18 - 3.21 Chimneys, flues and liners
3.24.4 Storage containers for solid woody biomass fuel
Technical Handbook 2010 Domestic
Technical Handbook 2010 Non-domestic
Low carbon equipment and building regulations –
Guides to safe and sustainable construction
Heat Pumps
Ground Source and Water Source Heat Pumps
Solar
Solar thermal systems or solar hot water (SHW)