AQW 17676/22-27

Mr Andrew McMurray
Alliance Party
South Down

Tabled Date: 05/11/2024
Answered On Date: 27/11/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure what consideration has been given to granting permitted development rights for all rooftop solar panels, as is the case in Scotland.

Answer:

I am aware that Scotland has relaxed their permitted development rights for solar panels on non-domestic buildings.

Part 37 of the Schedule to the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (the GPDO) sets out the permitted development rights for the installation of non-domestic microgeneration equipment. Class A provides permitted development rights for the installation, alteration or replacement of solar PV or solar thermal equipment on a building other than a dwellinghouse or block of flats, subject to certain conditions and limitations, without requiring a planning application.

I have currently no plans to review these permitted development rights at this stage.