New Consultation On Development Changes For Environmental Protection

Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has announced a public consultation on proposed changes to permitted development rules to protect the environment and help address climate change.

The public consultation proposes to revise permitted development rights to make it easier and quicker for homeowners to install low carbon heat pumps and for retailers to install reverse vending machines to promote and facilitate higher levels of recycling.

The consultation opens today and will run until 23 December 2022.

Minister O'Dowd said: "I am committed to ensuring that my Department plays its part in reducing carbon emissions and promoting the use of renewable energy.

"Planning has a crucial role in facilitating this. The proposed changes are aimed at protecting the environment by encouraging the use of low carbon heat technologies and promoting the recycling of drinks containers, whilst ensuring the provision of such infrastructure is sited and designed to keep environmental impacts to a minimum.

"These proposals will make it easier for energy consumers and providers to utilise renewable energy technologies without the need for planning permission and will reduce the reliance of individual properties on fossil fuel heat and power sources and positively address issues with climate change and fuel poverty."

The Minister concluded: "I am pleased that my Department is able to facilitate appropriate renewable and low carbon energy development which supports the economy and local communities and also protects the environment. This is an important issue and I urge everyone with an interest it to make their views known."