A Herefordshire Tory MP who cannot install solar panels on his cowshed because of listed building rules has demanded the “red tape” is removed “for the benefit of the planet”.

Bill Wiggin (North Herefordshire) recently moved into a grade II listed farm but cannot install solar panels on the corrugated metal cowshed without first obtaining planning consent.

The cowshed is separated from the main property by a public footpath but the rules state it lies within the “curtilage” and so is treated as if it is part of the listed building despite being “of no historic or architectural interest” and smelling strongly of manure, he said.

Mr Wiggin said the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 should be amended to get rid of curtilage rules for grade II buildings, a move that would affect 346,111 properties.

He said it was necessary to remove the “lazy, bureaucratic device” as it was adding to energy costs, leading to more fossil fuel use and creating unnecessary work for council planning departments.

Moving his amendment under a 10-minute rule motion, Mr Wiggin told the Commons: “Because of this experience I believe the curtilage requirement is a piece of red tape that needs to be removed for the benefit of the planet, for the people who occupy listed buildings and who do nothing about the environment to have their excuse of curtilage removed, and to free up more roof space for solar panels and to fulfil our desire to be the greenest Government ever.

“Yes of course we need to protect that which is historically valuable but we also need to protect the planet.”

His amendment has the support of Tory MPs including Boris Johnson and Zac Goldsmith, and is scheduled for second reading on March 11, b ut it is unlikely to make progress due to a lack of parliamentary time.

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