Planning Compliance
Permitted Development Rights
Ground and Water Source Heat Pumps
The installation of a ground source heat pump or a water source heat pump on domestic premises is usually considered to be permitted development, not needing an application for planning permission
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order (Part 14 class C) notes :- Permitted development The installation, alteration, or replacement of a microgeneration ground source heat pump within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse or a block of flats.
(Part 14 Class D) notes: Permitted development The installation, alteration, or replacement of a microgeneration water source heat pump within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse or a block of flats.
This means that if the ground loop heat exchanger or water collection/ disposal system is installed in a field adjacent to the dwelling house, planning consent is required, even if the field is within the same ownership if it falls outside of the property boundary (curtilage)
Air Source Heat Pumps
The installation of an air source heat pump on a domestic premises is considered to be permitted development, not needing an application for planning permission provided a number of criteria are met, including but not limited to:-
The location of the air source heat pump
The noise created by the air source heat pump
Only one air source heat pump on site
The physical size of the air source heat pump.
If the property is listed, planning permission is required, if the site falls within a conservation or heritage area, planning permission may be required
Reasons for checking compliance
Avoids planning enforcement actions
Avoids neighbour conflicts
Provides project confidence
Why do you need to check planning compliance
It is often commonly believed that all heat pump installations fall within permitted development rights, this is not the case and failure to be informed of the rules can prove to be a costly mistake.
Currently (February 2024) the rules covering various permitted development rights are being reviewed by the UK government and a consultation has been issued, which questions the current noise level restrictions, limitation to a single heat pump and volumetric size of the heat pump. Subject to the outcome of this consultation, installation of air source heat pumps may be simplified against planning regulations.
November 2004 UK government have announced that certain planning rules pertaining to Air Source Heat Pumps are to be relaxed. These include:-
The previously rule that meant if a heat pump was within one metre of a neighbouring property planning permission was required.
The allowable size limit has increased from 0.6m³ to 1.5m³ and detached homes can install two heat pumps per house.