Environmental group Friends of the Earth Scotland has urged the Scottish government to take more action to remove what it sees as petty obstacles to homeowners being able to fit microrenewable energy devices to their properties.

The body has expressed concern that a public consultation on the subject which ends today will exclude such technologies from urban environments, reports the Press and Journal.

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In particular, the body is concerned at a proposal that any wind turbine, solar panel or other device should be sited nearly 330 feet away from the nearest neighbouring property, something that would mean only houses in isolated positions could have such technology fitted.

Chief executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland Duncan McClaren urged ministers to "move swiftly to cut the unnecessary home renewables red tape".

The concerns expressed today were in contrast with the welcome given by the group in March to an announcement of proposals by the Scottish government to remove planning permission requirements for microrenewables.

The issue of the 330 ft gap between houses was not mentioned in the government's March statement.

(GK/JM)