CHRIS Huhne. the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, has confirmed that the need for planning permission for air source heat pumps will be lifted.
Speaking at the opening of the first Southampton Eco Event hosted by Freedom Heat Pumps in association with Samsung Air Conditioning, Mr Huhne said some restrictions such as consideration for noise and the number of heat pumps installed still had to be adhered to but that the process should now become very simple.

The event, held at the Freedom Heat Pumps showroom in Eastleigh, was designed to bring members of the public face to face with contractors from all sectors of the renewable heating market. With six contractors exhibiting at the event plus guest speakers from The Eastleigh Transition Network, members of the public were able to get balanced advice from a number of sources.

After officially opening the show and touring the exhibits, Mr Huhne, unsurprisingly, faced a number of questions on the subject of RHI. Whilst he refused to discuss specifics he did give the reasons behind the delay and the expected announcement timetable. On the subject of the delay in including ASHP on the RHI he said: 'The data taken during the Carbon Trust study showed that there were still significant problems with the application of air source heat pumps and a further one year study of different installations will allow us to make a more informed decision.' He went on to confirm that the final decision and announcements regarding the RHI will arrive early in the new year, probably January or February.

Commenting on the event Freedom's md Graham Hendra said 'There were no local events at which renewables contractors could get together within the Southampton area. By providing this venue for our customers and others we hope to provide a 'one stop shop' for those members of the public interested in green technologies.'

Freedom Heat Pumps operations director Paul Taylor added 'Judging by the level of attendance there is definitely an interest and a lucrative market within this area and we hope to offer this forum many more times throughout this year and next.'