Planning permission warning over biomass boilers

Farmers who cannot provide evidence of planning permission for a biomass boiler may see their Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments suspended if they are subject to an audit.

Rural surveyor Richard Corbett, partner with Roger Parry & Partners, warned that recent audits by Ofgem have seen farmers facing requests for copies of planning permission.

If this evidence is not available, farmers are being asked to apply for retrospective planning permission and RHI payments will be suspended until this has been confirmed.

See also: Tips to keep biomass boilers running trouble-free 

Mr Corbett said planning permission had always been a requirement for RHI accreditation, but until May last year, Ofgem had not asked to see that permission.

“We appreciate that this news may come as an unpleasant surprise to those landowners who already got a biomass boiler without obtaining planning permission.

“But to avoid any disruption of cashflow derived from RHI subsidy income, we would recommend to all those who have had a biomass boiler installed to make sure they have the correct planning permission in place immediately.”

Although domestic installations under 45kW may be exempt from full planning under permitted development rights, most farm-based boilers would be larger than this, he said.

This means farmers will need to apply to their local authority for retrospective planning permission, which could take eight to 12 weeks to come through.

Where equipment has been installed for more than four years, Ofgem may accept the boiler has deemed planning permission, but they will need to see proof that this is the case.

“This again means you have to tell the planners that it is there and show proof of the timing of installation – but hopefully every farmer will have kept the receipt from when they purchased the boiler.”