So now we have to apply for a grant, but now that's not straighforward. Here's a quote from the LowCarbon website:
You can also call your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512012 for guidance on energy efficiency measures and energy efficiency grants available in your area.Please note that there is a cap on funds available each month for householder grants. The funds for March have now been allocated. Grants for householders are issued on a first come, first served basis until the monthly funding pot is fully allocated. Funding is made available at 9am on the first working day of the month. Funds will re-open on April 2nd at 9am.
Their excuse for the funds cap is this:
The total fund available to the household stream is now £12.7 million, up from £6.5 million due to a higher than expected demand.The higher than anticipated demand since the scheme was launched has meant that the limited funds available to householders would have been exhausted by early 2007. Introducing a monthly cap enables the funds to last to June 2008.
From 1 December 2006, householders will be able to apply for funding from a £0.5 million pot. This amount will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
We shall call the Mark Group (0845 3904390), to inform that we have planning approval but won't get a grant decision until April.
We won't send in the contract until we have grant letter.
What we don't know is the lead time on installation.
There are bureaucratic delays every step of the way.... we wonder if we shall get the turbine installed before the planning permission expires!
yours sincerely
MR O PAYNE