Over recent years it has become much easier to install a heat pump or green heating system in your home in the UK.
You do not need planning permission for most air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps. They can generally be installed under permitted development rights unless you live in a listed property or a conservation area.
Do you need planning permission for air source heat pumps?
You do not generally need planning permission to install an air source heat pump on your property as long as certain conditions are met. We advise that if you are unsure, contact your local planning authority or council to check and get further guidance.
- It must comply with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Planning Standards (MCS 020)
- You can only install one heat pump under permitted development. It has to be the first one to be on the property and there can’t be any existing wind turbine on or within the grounds of the house. (You would need to apply for planning permission if you wanted to add another air source heat pump or wind turbine to the same property)
- The whole air source heat pump must be at least one meter from your properties boundary
- You cannot install an air source heat pump on a pitched roof within permitted development rights. You can install an air source heat pump on a flat roof, but it must be at least one meter away from the external edge of that piece of roof.
- Listed buildings and their grounds and sites that are designated as Scheduled Monuments are not included within the permitted development rights.
- If installing an air source heat pump in a Conservation area or a world heritage site the heat pump should not be installed on any wall or roof where it is visible from a highway.
- The heat pump should be installed to have a minimal visible impact on the property. The heat pump unit should be installed away from the road and must be below the first story if attached to a wall.
- You must remove the heat pump as soon as possible after you finish using it in the event that it becomes redundant.
- The heat pump can only be used for heating purposes
- You should try to make it have as little impact on the appearance of the outside of the property as possible.
- In England, The air source heat pump’s outdoor unit must not be bigger than 0.6 cubic meters
- In Wales, the air source heat pump should not be larger than 1 cubic meter to have permitted development rights
- In Scotland, the air source heat pump can not be more than three meters tall to get permitted development rights
In Northern Ireland, an air source heat pump should not be taller than 2 meters to fall within permitted development rights
Here are the advantages of air source heat pumps.
When did heat pumps become permitted development?
Many people still question whether you need planning permission for air source heat pumps.
Air source heat pumps only began to be considered permitted development from the 1st December 2011 for domestic properties. This means that if the conditions detailed above are met, you can normally install an air source heat pump on your property without having to get planning permission.
If you are ever unsure whether your air source heat pump will fall under permitted development rights or if you will need to gain planning permission then you should reach out to your local council.
Do you need planning permission for ground source heat pumps?
You do not generally need to get planning permission to install a ground source heat pump as it is covered under permitted development rights.
If you live in a listed building or within a conservation area you may need to apply for planning permission. You should reach out to your local council to check what the rules are in your area.
You do not normally need to get planning permission for ground source heat pumps as long as the following conditions are met when installing, altering or replacing the system:
- You do not dig up more than 0.5 hectors of land (5000 square meters)
- You can only install one ground source heat pump on the property within permitted development rights
- You must remove the ground source heat pump as soon as you finish using it and return the land to the same condition it was in before the ground source heat pump installation. Removing all underground pipework.
Water source heat pumps are subject to the same planning regulations as ground source heat pumps. You’ll need to contact your local authority if you intend to install a water source heat pump in a conservation area or on a listed building.
Here are the advantages of ground source heat pumps.
Here is every type of heat pump available.
Can you install a heat pump on a listed building?
Installing a heat pump on a listed building or within a conservation area does not come under permitted development and you will need to contact your local council or planning authority to gain permission to install a ground source heat pump or an air source heat pump.
If you plan to install a heat pump on a listed building you will also need to consider whether the property is insulated and energy-efficient enough to make a heat pump a sensible choice.
Older properties generally have quite a poor EPC score due to draft windows and doors or poor insulation.
Ensure that your listed property is properly insulated and has efficient double glazing in a place where possible before installing a heat pump to make it as effective as possible.
Can you install a heat pump in a flat?
You can generally install a heat pump on a block of flats or apartments or within its grounds as long as the block that the flat resides in is fully residential and does not include any commercial property.
If the block of flats is fully residential then it will come under the same rules as other types of properties and have permitted development rights to install a heat pump.