Do You Need Planning Permission for an Air Source Heat Pump?

Lots of home improvement projects are regulated by planning laws. Installing an air source heat pump is one of them. You need to make sure you follow planning laws so your heating is legal.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about air source heat pump planning permission.

What’s planning permission?

Planning rules are a set of regulations that control how people develop land and property. Some types of building work are permitted developments. This means that you can do the work without checking with anyone that it’s ok.

However, if you want to do a job that isn’t a permitted development, you’ll need to get planning permission. This involves submitting a planning permission application to your local authority. They’ll review it and let you know whether you’re allowed to do the job. Sometimes they might tell you that you can do the job but only if you do it in a certain way.

Do I need planning permission to install an air source heat pump?

You don’t need to apply for planning permission to install an air source heat pump as long as you follow these rules:

  • It’s the only air source heat pump on the property
  • Its outdoor compressor unit isn’t bigger than 0.6 cubic metres
  • It’s not on a pitched roof
  • If it’s on a flat roof, it’s at least 1 metre from the roof edge
  • It’s at least 1 metre from the property boundary
  • It’s not on a wall that fronts a highway and is higher than ground story level
  • It complies with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Planning Standards

There are also some additional rules if your property is on designated land, like a conservation area. In conservation areas or world heritage sites, the heat pump can’t be on a wall or roof that fronts a highway or closer to a highway than the building.

If you don’t follow all of these rules, or your property is listed, then you’ll need to apply for planning permission before you install your air source heat pump.

If you need to apply for planning permission or want further advice, you should contact your local authority. You should be able to find their details through your local council’s website. You can find out who your local council is here.