Do I need planning permission for a heat pump?
Ground and water source heat pumps
Usually, unless you live in a listed property or conservation area, ground and water source heat pumps are considered a permitted development. You shouldn’t need an application for planning permission. It is still worth checking with your local authority before starting installation, however.
Air source heat pumps
In England and Scotland you can install an air source heat pump (ASHP) as it forms part of permitted development. However in each region, the home owner needs to follow specific guidelines and not contravene them in order to proceed with the installation.
Unfortunately if you live in Wales and Northern Ireland, you will have to speak to your local authority to get a planning application submitted and approved before proceeding with the installation.
Air source heat pump permitted development criteria in England
Since the end of 2011, if you live in England, all heat pumps (air, ground and water) are considered a permitted development, so no planning permission is required. This was legislated in parliament to make it easier for individuals to install renewable technologies for their homes. Different outcomes apply however if you live in a listed property, conservation area or a world heritage site. We would advise you to contact your local planning authority for further guidance.
An air source heat pump is a permitted development provided numerous conditions are met:
- The heat pump installation needs to adhere to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme planning standards.
- The ASHP must only be used for heating
- The volume of the ASHP outdoor compressor unit must not be in excess of 0.6m3
- The ASHP must be sited to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building.
- You are only allowed one ASHP as a permitted development. If you also have a wind turbine or want another ASHP, then you will need to apply for planning permission.
- The ASHP must be at least 1 metre from the edge of your property
- An air source heat pump needs to be installed on a flat surface, be it the ground or a flat roof, however if it is elevated off the ground, it needs to be at least 1m away from the edge of the elevation.
Additional guidance in England:
- If you are looking to install an ASHP on a listed building, permitted development rights are not applicable, contact your local planning authority for guidance.
- On land in a conservation area/world heritage site, an ASHP must not be installed where it is visible from a highway.
- If you are not using the ASHP for microgeneration, it must be removed as soon as practically possible.
Air source heat pump permitted development criteria in Scotland
In Scotland it is considered permitted development, unless installing an ASHP contravenes the following points:
- It is not the only heat pump within the boundaries of your property
- It is situated less than 100metres from your next door neighbour
- It is visible from the main road
- It sits on a world heritage site; is on scientific research land; considerably near a listed building or is near land for archaeological purposes.
You also need to make sure that the developer that is installing the ASHP speaks to the local authority and gets clearance for the size and type of unit being installed. Not all systems may necessarily comply with permitted development criteria.
Above information is now out of date, An ASHP can be installed under PD rights within 100m of neighbour etc. provided they comply with the requirements of MCS 020 including noise impact calculations -this typically means being 15-20m from nearest noise sensitive window depending on site layout and ASHP acoustic data.
Why does Scotland have a 100 metre clearance from neighbours and England has only one metre. This is not enough as we are suffering from one next door to us. We are also semi detached but the local authority have deemed it ok. To us this is unacceptable as it causes compromised use of our home, bedroom particularly and our patio area. What can we do next?
Is this in Scotland?
Do I need planning permission to fit heat pumps at a care home
I cannot find this 100 meter rule anywhere. Can someone please help! We live in Scotland, and our neighbour recently installed an air source heat pump within less than a meter from our garden’s fence. The noise is horrible, and we have had sleepless nights since.
I had a quotation for an Air Source Heat Pump and the firm said that planning permission would be required. I live in a semi detached house which is close to my neighbours house by say 8 ft . My daughter has an air source heat pump but she lives in the Fens with no neighbours for miles. She says her heat pump is noisy in the winter months and she can hear it from their bedroom. I do not want to cause trouble with my neighbour so I am not going ahead with the scheme. Is the firm correct that I have to apply for planning permission?
I am interested to install an ASHP system at my home in Oxfordshire but I have a small (1kW) air conditioner at the opposite end of the house where it serves one room at times of extreme heat. Does this mean that I need to apply for full planning permission? The application costs £270 and I’d rather avoid it unless it really is necessary.