LANDOWNERS’ leaders have welcomed a decision by Government to allow on-farm renewable projects to be built without planning permission.

The County Land and Business Association (CLA) says the proposals for permitted development rights that allow agricultural and forestry businesses to build renewable energy projects will help farmers find alternative sources of income from farm and forestry waste products.

CLA East regional director Nicola Currie 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. It has now removed the barriers of planning permissions and has delivered a green policy that really benefits the rural economy.”