An environmental and planning consultancy has been asked to research existing regulations relating to businesses’ use of renewable energy, it emerged today.

According to the Communities and Local Government department, the investigation will study the current system which firms must use if they want to install eco-friendly products such as solar panels or wind turbines.

However, Entec - the consultancy commissioned to undertake the project - will look into ways in which barriers to becoming more energy-efficient can be removed.

Communities secretary Hazel Blears remarked: "This research will be crucial to working out how we can support the business world to do its bit, as we move to a zero-carbon culture."

"This government is committed to bringing forward changes that will allow us to tackle the growing challenge we face in climate change," she added.

Ms Blears, who is also the MP for Salford, has challenged Entec to find out how renewable equipment can be installed without the need for specific permission.

Current legislation means businesses must wait between eight and 16 weeks before an item such as the aforementioned will be approved.