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Planning constraints in and around your area

Planning applications in and around your area

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  • Your road sweeping is done every 10 weeks

Notes:

We will be in your area from 27 August to 6 September 2004.

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Sustainable energy solutions

As we move toward sustainable living, renewable energy options like heat pumps, solar panels, and wind turbines are becoming more popular among homeowners. Understanding the planning and building regulations is crucial for safe, efficient installations.

Air source heat pumps

If you are installing an air source heat pump you must make sure:

  • it complies with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Planning Standards [PDF, 6MB]
  • only one unit is installed
  • the volume of the unit is not bigger than 0.6 cubic metres
  • it is at least 1m in from the site boundary
  • it is not put on a pitched roof
  • it is more than 1m from the edge of the roof if it’s on a flat roof
  • a wind turbine is not already installed at the property
  • it is attached to a wall that is not blocking a pavement or road or, if it is attached to a wall that fronts a pavement or road, then it needs to be located at ground floor level.

There may be conditions attached, such as: 

  • the equipment is only used for heating purposes
  • it will have minimal impact on the appearance of the building
  • equipment which is no longer needed for microgeneration shall be removed as soon as possible.

Ground source heat pumps

Ground source heat pumps are permitted development and do not require planning permission. 

Solar panels

In most cases, installing solar panels on the roof of a detached, semi-detached, or terraced house, (not a flat or maisonette), and the roof of most types of outbuilding, is considered permitted development and does not require planning permission.

Please visit our solar panels webpage for more information.

Wind turbines

Installing wind turbines on a building

Wind turbines are permitted if: 

  • the installation complies with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Planning Standards [PDF, 6MB]
  • there is no other turbine on the building
  • an air source heat pump is not already on the same building
  • the highest part of the turbine (including blades) would not exceed 3m above the highest part of the roof (excluding chimney) or would not exceed 15m in height from ground level
  • the blades are higher than 5m from the ground
  • the swept area of any blade would not exceed 3.8m2
  • the blades shall be made of non-reflective material
  • it will have minimal impact on the appearance and amenity of the area
  • equipment which is no longer needed for microgeneration shall be removed as soon as possible when no longer needed

Installing wind turbines on the ground

Wind turbines are permitted if: 

  • the installation complies with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Planning Standards [PDF, 6MB]
  • there is no other turbine on the any of the buildings on the site
  • an air source heat pump is not already on the same building
  • the highest part of the turbine would not exceed 11.1m in height from ground level
  • the blades are higher than 5m from the ground
  • it is in a position which is less than a distance equivalent to the overall height (including blades) of the stand-alone wind turbine plus 10% of its height when measured from any point along the boundary of the curtilage
  • the swept area of any blade would exceed 3.8m2
  • the blades must be made of non-reflective material
  • it will have minimal impact on the appearance and amenity of the area
  • equipment which is no longer needed for microgeneration shall be removed as soon as possible.

Mechanical heat vent recovery

Mechanical heat vent recovery do not require planning permission. 

Gas heating

Energy efficient gas boilers do not require planning permission to install.

Applying for planning permission

If you need to apply for planning permission, please use the Planning Portal. You can complete your application form, upload supporting documents, calculate and pay fees all in one place.