A domestic application for a wind turbine and solar panels has been deferred due to noise and aesthetic concerns.

The planning application by Charles Dyer was put on hold until the Development Applications Board (DAB) can inspect a photo montage of the proposed turbine and how it will look from neighbouring properties.

The application consists of a turbine on a 45 ft monopole, 300 sq ft of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and 342.5 sq ft of solar thermal hot water panels on a house in Knapton Estates Road, Smith's.

Government has pledged it is to encourage the uptake of solar panels among residents as a means of cutting down on fossil fuels and conserving energy. Only on Friday, Energy Minister Terry Lister told MPs: "We have 30,000 houses in Bermuda and if we see 300 houses every year taking this up, I will be happy with that.

"We've got to keep doing things to encourage people so we are making everything duty free."

He said Government wanted to encourage residents to gradually take up alternative energy, such as installing solar panels, and that was why the Budget had set a zero duty on any solar product.

When Dr. Dyer's planning application was presented to the DAB however, "the board expressed concern about the wind turbine structure," according to the report.

It states: "The technical officer summarised the staff report, providing a presentation of the characteristics of the proposal's three elements, relative to protection of Bermuda's visual image, sensitivity to potential impacts on neighbours (including survivability in high-wind events), and effective, appropriate technology.

"Discussion centred on the wind turbine, with concerns expressed over noise generation, visibility and ability to withstand higher winds.

"The board requested photo montages showing the view of the site and wind turbine from neighbourhood properties and from the coast.

"The board also suggested a committee be formed or an office designated as having monitoring responsibility for noise, in particular, and other impacts, and to provide greater policy guidance."

However, the report also suggests the Department of Energy is now formulating a series of guidelines for Planning officers in relation to micro-technologies such as domestic wind turbines, PV and solar panels.

It states: "The technical officer indicated that the Department of Energy had evaluated this proposal and was working with Planning staff to suggest suitable guidelines for prospective applications and the review of applications."

The guidelines could be welcomed by both planners and the public.

In October 2007, The Royal Gazette reported how then-Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield refused an appeal for a wind turbine on a house after Planning officers criticised its "visual impact".

Tim Miller sought Planning permission for the 6.5 ft horizontal wind turbine to provide an example of domestic sustainable development on the Island.

But officers said installation of a micro-wind turbine would ruin the appearance of the Harbour Road, Warwick building. The DAB said it was "not satisfied that the installation of a wind turbine on the east chimney will preserve and enhance the quality and character of the Grade Two listed building".

Mr. Miller appealed the decision in April of that year but officers rejected the appeal "because the design and details would have a detrimental visual impact on the listed building".

Ms Butterfield then upheld their decision.

The refusal illustrated the dilemma of balancing Bermuda's heritage and traditional architecture with the growing needs of sustainable development.