IOA Scottish branch have submitted comments on the Scottish Government Review of Permitted Development Rights (pdr) – Phase 3, which covers renewable energy technologies. For air source heat pumps, it is strongly recommended that the Scottish Government does not pursue minimum set back distances from other dwellings or physical size restrictions as a means of mitigating impact from noise, as significant adverse impacts cannot be avoided through limitations on size and setback distances alone. The branch also disagree with the proposal for pdr for free standing domestic wind turbines, as the proposed amendments on height and standoff distance are based on aesthetics, not on the noise impact that such machines can have on neighbouring properties. For domestic wind turbines attached to a dwelling, the branch object to pdr with reasons including lack of maintenance of turbines potentially leading to noise issues being caused to nearby properties as mechanisms wear. The branch also objected to a proposal for pdr for solar on some non domestic buildings, as while solar panels do not generate noise, ancillary infrastructure, such as inverters and transformers can cause noise issues if design and layout are not properly considered.
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