Ford tells Foster to slash red tape on green energy grants

6.41.12pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 25th Jun 2007

Alliance Leader David Ford

Alliance Leader David Ford has called on Environment Minister Arlene Foster to reform planning laws to make it easier for people to install green energy systems at home. He also asked the Minister to cut the level of bureaucracy people have to deal with when applying for grants to install renewable energy systems in their homes. His call came today during the Environment Ministerial Questions to Arlene Foster in the Assembly.

David Ford said: "If the Minister wants to prove to local people that she is really serious about protecting the environment, she must make it easier for people to install green energy systems in their homes.

"She must change planning laws to make it more simple for people to fit renewable energy systems in their houses. The current system is unwieldy and does not work in favour of people who want to be more environmentally-friendly.

"However, the Minister must not only look to making reforms on planning laws, she must also make it easier for people to apply for government grants to install green energy systems in their homes.

"If the Minister really wants to encourage local people to go green then she must slash the ridiculous level of bureaucracy that applicants have to face. Its time that the Department cut down on this paper trail and made it far easier for everyone to do their bit to protect the environment."

ENDS