CLA lobbying success for on-farm renewables

The CLA today said the Government had shown its commitment to cutting red tape and simplifying the planning system by allowing on-farm renewable projects to be built without planning permission.

The Association said the proposals for permitted development rights that allow agricultural and forestry businesses to build renewable energy projects would help farmers find alternative sources of income from farm and forestry waste products.

CLA President Harry Cotterell said: "This is fantastic news for the rural economy. The CLA has lobbied for permitted development rights for five years so that land managers can use farm and forestry buildings to house forestry biomass burners, on-farm anaerobic digesters and hydro turbines without applying for complex and costly planning permission.

"The Government has encouraged farmers to diversify since 2007. Today’s announcement has removed the barriers of planning permissions and delivered a green policy that really benefits the rural economy."