Domestic Microgeneration Equipment

From April 2008 the Government expanded Permitted Development rights to include installation of domestic microgeneration equipment. This is contained within Part 40 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended).

Solar Panels or Solar Thermal Equipment

Solar panels or solar thermal equipment can be installed without planning permission on an existing wall or roof of a dwellinghouse or building within its curtilage, if the panel or equipment;

• would not protrude more than 200mm beyond the wall or roof slope.
• would not be higher than the highest part of the roof excluding the chimney
• would not installed on or within the curtilage of a Listed Building
• would not be visible from a highway if the property is in a Conservation Area

Stand Alone Solar Equipment

Stand alone solar equipment can be installed without planning permission within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse, if the equipment;

• would not result in more than one stand alone solar
• would not exceed 4 metres in height
• would not exceed 9 square metres or in any dimension exceed 3 metres
• would not be within 5 metres of any boundary
• would not be within the curtilage of a Listed Building
• would not be visible from a highway if the property is in a Conservation Area

Ground Source Heat Pump

Ground source heat pumps can be installed within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse without the need for planning permission.

Water Source Heat Pump

Water source heat pumps can be installed within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse without the need for planning permission.

Flues for Biomass Heating Systems or Combined Heat and Power Systems

Flues for biomass heating and combined heat and power systems can be installed to a dwellinghouse if;

• the height of the flue would not exceed the highest part of the roof by more than 1 metre
• the flue would not be visisble from a highway if the property is in a Conservation Area

Do I require Planning Permission?

You can check if you need Planning Permission by completing a Householder Extensions Enquiry Form  (2,060K) which can be returned to the address at the top of the form.

If planning permission is required

If you require planning permission there will be a fee of £150.00 which should be submitted with your planning application. planning application forms can be downloaded from the Planning Application Forms Page

Further information and advice is contained within Development Control Practice Note 19  (92K)