Breaking Property News – 14/02/24
Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.
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Aira hopes that red tape and delay installing heat pumps will be a thing of the past
According to the official GOV.UK website, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Planning Directorate are undertaking a consultation on air source heat pumps, and a number of other prescribed matters to cut through the red tape with regard to planning.
Specifically, DHLUC says, ‘This consultation contains a number of proposed changes to permitted development rights. To provide householders with further flexibility to meet the needs of growing families and maximise the potential of existing homes, we are consulting on a number of changes to these rights. The consultation proposes changes which will enable householders to build larger extensions and provide further freedoms to construct outbuildings.
To support the delivery of new homes, we are seeking views on whether the existing building upward rights can be amended to increase the scope of buildings that can benefit from the rights. We are consulting on changes to the demolition and rebuild right to increase the scope of buildings that can benefit from the right and allow for a larger rebuild footprint.
To provide further flexibility to households and businesses wishing to install electric vehicle charging outlets, we are consulting on a number of changes to the relevant rights. We are seeking feedback on whether permitted development rights should allow for units necessary for the operation of electric vehicle charge points such as equipment housing or storage cabinets.
We are also seeking feedback on amendments to the permitted development right for air source heat pumps, including consulting on removing the limitation that they must be at least 1 metre from the boundary of the property.’
On the last point heat pumps, what this means is that the government would look to end cumbersome planning rules that are frustrating consumers. Where they presently face long waiting periods for planning permission from their local council to be allowed to replace their old gas burning boiler with an new environmentally friendly heat pump. Conceivably the proposed changes to permitted development rights would enable homeowners to install a heat pump as easily as a installing a jacuzzi or new garden shed.
Commenting on this latest inniative to help speed up this big ESG win for the environment, Daniel Särefjord Group CCO Aira and CEO Aira UK stated,
‘Today, 95% of the UK’s gas boilers are still being replaced with the same polluting and highly inefficient systems at the end of their lifespan, despite the availability of more sustainable and cost-effective alternatives, such as heat pumps. Up to half of these gas boilers are being replaced without even leaving the consumer much of a choice as currently months of planning policy red tape must be overcome before a heat pump installation is permitted. Very few individuals and families can accept to live without heating and hot water for months on end to finally be able to ditch their dirty fossil-fuelled boiler.
The Government finally announced they are looking to change the rules on permitted development, which will play a critical role in removing those barriers and unlocking the true potential of clean energy technology for the UK, while making it easier for consumers to install a heat pump in their home. Contrary to misconceptions, residential heat pumps only consume a small amount of energy and are actually four times more efficient than a gas boiler. Sound levels tend to be another concern for UK consumers; however, technology has developed a lot in recent years and heat pumps now produce as little sound as a home refrigerator.
By making the switch to a heat pump quicker and simpler, the UK can reduce its total emissions by 16-17%, making it a critical component in taking Europe off gas. It is crucial to recognise the transformative potential of heat pump technology in lowering energy bills and emissions, and we need more policy changes like this without delay to bring us closer to reaching our nation’s legally binding net zero targets. It’s undeniable that the time for action is now.’
If you have a view – please let us all know by emailing me at editor@estateagentnetworking.co.uk – Andrew Stanton Executive Editor – moving property and proptech forward. PropTech-X
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