The Scottish Government has proposed planning reforms that would make it easier for homeowners and landlords to fit heat pumps and solar panels without needing to apply for planning permission.

For example, solar panels could be fitted to the rear roof of dwellings in conservation areas, and on out-houses. And the rules regarding fitting heat pumps to flats, and to homes in conservation areas, would also be relaxed.

By relaxing planning rules, the Alliance said the Scottish Government can make it cheaper and easier for more households to adopt technologies that can cut energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.

For many homes, electric heat pumps are the best low-carbon alternative to fossil fuel boilers, helping homes achieve a 90% reduction in annual carbon emissions, and in many cases lower energy bills. In its report to the UK parliament earlier this year, the UK Climate Change Committee advised that they expect up to 74% of homes to receive heat pumps by 2050.

Solar energy will also play an important role, by providing hot water or electricity and lowering energy bills. Record numbers of households have been fitting solar energy panels and heat pumps over the past 12 months. In July, Scotland beat its previous record (from December 2015) for domestic solar installations in one month, and last year installed the highest number of heat pumps.

But around 6% of Scotland’s homes are in conservation areas and will face extra planning rules when fitting low-carbon measures. Lori McElroy, chair of the Existing Homes Alliance, believes the proposed rule changes will allow more homeowners to be part of the net zero transition while still respecting heritage features.

Ms McElroy said: “The Scottish Parliament has set ambitious climate change targets that are aligned with science and which will require over 1 million homes to be heated by zero emissions technologies by 2030.

“We urge the Scottish Government to adopt these proposals to make it easier for more homeowners to move to clean, renewables-based energy systems, helping to protect them from volatile fossil fuel prices and cutting greenhouse gas emissions at the same time.

“It’s vital we make this shift to clean heating in a way that is fair, supports a just transition and supports the growth of green jobs right across the country”.