Energy efficiency and microgeneration
We are keen to promote renewable energy and receive many enquiries about whether planning permission is needed for energy efficiency items (microgeneration equipment).
Most domestic properties benefit from permitted development rights but in some instances, these rights may have been removed. It is always advisable to check to ensure that the permitted development rights have not been removed from your property, in addition to following the advice below.
Flats in a buildings that contain other uses:
Flats forming part of a building that contains other uses (e.g. a flat above or below an office or shop do not have permitted development rights for microgeneration equipment and planning permission is always required.
Single family dwelling houses and buildings consisting wholly of flats:
Solar Panels
Planning permission is not normally required for the installation of solar panels attached to the main house or any domestic outbuilding within the curtilage provided that;
• The panels protrude no more than 200mm from the plane of the existing roof and that no part would be higher than the highest part of the existing roof (excluding any chimney)
• If within a conservation area, the panels would not be installed on a wall that forms the principle or side elevation that can be seen from any highway.
Ground mounted ‘standalone’ solar panels may also be permitted development provided that;
• It would not result in the presence within the curtilage of more than one stand alone array
• The panels are no higher than 4 metres from ground level
• If within a conservation area, the panels would not be seen from any highway.
• No part of the panels would be within 5 metres of the boundary to the curtilage
• The surface area of the solar panels would not exceed nine square metres or any dimension of its array (including any housing) would exceed three metres in length.
If the property is a listed building any installation of solar panels will require either listed building consent or planning permission, you are advised to contact the planning department further if this applies to your property.
Ground/Water source heat pumps
The installation, alteration or replacement of a ground or water source heat pump within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse does not normally require planning permission.
Flues in association with biomass heating system or combined heat and power system
Internally installed biomass heating systems or combined heat and power systems will require an external flue to be installed on the dwellinghouse. Planning permission for these flues is not normally required provided that;
• The flue would not protrude more than 1 metre above the highest point of the existing
• If within a conservation area, the panels would not be installed on a wall or roof-slope that forms the principle or side elevation that would be seen from any highway.
Domestic Wind Turbines
Although the Government is reviewing permitted development rights for domestic wind turbines, no permitted development for such equipment currently exists.
If you require further advice, please contact planningdev@easthants.gov.uk
If you would like written confirmation of whether or not permission is required, please contact us with full details of the proposal. There is likely to be a charge for this service.
Planning policies and considerations
We have policies to make sure new development promotes the conservation of energy through appropriate location, orientation, layout and design.
You can find out more in policies E1 and E2 of the Local Plan, which cover many environmental issues.
All permissions for dwellings now include the following condition:
“Before any part of the development is first occupied a verification report and completion certificate shall be submitted in writing, to the Planning Authority, confirming that the built development hereby permitted incorporates measures that provide at least 10% of the predicted energy requirement from on-site renewable sources, or, provided that first agreed in writing by the Planning Authority before development starts on site, an alternative means of achieving an equivalent energy saving.
The developer shall nominate a competent person for the purpose of assessing and providing the above required report and certificate to confirm that the completed works incorporate such measures as to provide the required energy savings.
The energy saving works set out in the above report shall thereafter be maintained so that the required energy saving is sustained at the certified level for the lifetime of the development.
(Note:- The carbon savings which result from these measures are required to be above and beyond any savings provided by measures incorporated into the development to comply with Part L Building Regulations).”