Home renewable energy plans ''should be carefully considered''

Written by Andrew Marshall.

Plans to make it easier for people to introduce renewable energy devices into their properties should be carefully considered, it is believed.

The government recently announced new proposals which could see homeowners given more opportunities to opt for things like domestic wind turbines, without having to apply for planning permission to do so.

Andrew Leech, executive director of the National Home Improvement Council, suggests that although the thinking behind the proposals is positive, the government must make sure that people do not get carried away.

He said: ''I think caution should be exercised, especially as far as wind turbines are concerned, because those are the things that are most likely to stick out like a sore thumb if they are not quite right.''

Mr Leech added that a balance is required between helping people to improve the environmental credentials of their properties, to lower the country''s carbon emissions, while ensuing some control is kept over the improvements that can be made.