The government has commissioned three reports aiming to make it easier for businesses to install microgeneration and low carbon equipment.

Environmental consultancy Entec has been asked to draw up new planning rules that will ensure the system is doing more to encourage small businesses to use renewable energy.
 
The research will look at removing barriers to installing small-scale renewable and low carbon technology equipment. Currently planning applications to install microgeneration equipment can cost £1500 and take between eight to sixteen weeks, with no guarantee of approval.

DCLG favours microgeneration allowed under permitted development (without planning permission so long there is little impact on others or the local environment. The research will look at safeguards.

Housing Minister Yvette Cooper has asked the UK Green Building Council to set out a route map for improving the overall energy efficiency of non-domestic buildings with the aim of delivering substantial reductions in carbon emissions from new buildings over the next decade.

The Government has also commissioned White Young Green Planning (WYGP) to carry out a wider investigation into what planning reforms are needed to make it easier for businesses to build extensions or make improvements to their premises.

The new research projects, which are all due for completion before the end of the year, follows on from the Government’s commitment to overhaul the planning system and to better equip councils to tackle climate changes. This included a commitment to drive up the energy efficiency of all homes and for all new houses to be zero carbon by 2016 and new planning rules that will require councils to consider tackling climate change as a core factor when considering every new planning applications and setting out a new role for them in promoting energy efficiency.