Air source heat pumps can be installed without the need for planning permission if all of the following conditions are met.
Limits to be met:
- development is permitted only if the air source heat pump installation complies with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Planning Standards (MCS 020) (PDF on MCS website)
- the volume of the air source heat pump’s outdoor compressor unit (including housing) must not exceed 1.5 cubic metres on a house or 0.6 cubic metres for a block of flats
- only the first installation of an air source heat pump would be permitted development, on a house which is not detached or a block of flats. For detached houses, the first two air source heat pumps are considered permitted development
- development is permitted only if there is no existing wind turbine on a building or within the curtilage of that property. Additional wind turbines or air source heat pumps at the same property requires an application for planning permission
- installations on pitched roofs are not permitted development. If installed on a flat roof all parts of the air source heat pump must be at least one metre from the external edge of that roof
- permitted development rights do not apply for installations within the curtilage of a listed building or within a site designated as a scheduled monument
- on land within a Conservation Area or World Heritage Site the air source heat pump must not be installed on a wall or roof which fronts a highway or be nearer to any highway which bounds the property than any part of the building
- on land that is not within a Conservation Area or World Heritage Site, the air source heat pump must not be installed on any part of a wall above the level of the ground floor storey if that wall fronts a highway
In addition, the following conditions must also be met. The air source heat pump must:
- not be used solely for cooling purposes
- be removed as soon as reasonably practicable when it is no longer needed for microgeneration
- be sited, so far as is practicable, to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and its effect on the amenity of the area
If any condition is not met, planning permission will be required.
The requirement for planning permission does not imply it will be refused. Every application is considered on its own merits.
If you live in a listed building, you will need both planning permission and listed building consent.
We strongly recommend applying for a lawful development certificate before installing any air source heat pumps. This provides written confirmation from the Council that your proposal is lawful. If the development is later found to require planning permission and you have not obtained it, the work would be considered unauthorised.
