Air Source Heat Pump Planning Application

From 1 December 2011, the installation of air source heat pumps in residential buildings is considered permitted development without the need to apply for planning permission, provided that all the restrictions and conditions listed below are met.

The development rights of these permits apply to the installation, modification or replacement of an air source heat pump in a house or apartment building, or in a mansion (garden or grounds) of a house or apartment building, including on a building within the mansion. The apartment building must consist entirely of apartments (for example, it should not also contain commercial premises).

Restrictions that need to be met:

1. Development is permitted only if the air source heat pump installation complies with the Micro Generation Certification Scheme Planning Standard (MCS 020) or equivalent. Read more about the program.

2. The volume of the air source heat pump outdoor compressor unit (including the casing) shall not exceed 0.6 cubic meters

3. A development is only permitted to install an air source heat pump for the first time if there are no existing wind turbines on the building or within the property's mansion. Additional wind turbines or air source heat pumps on the same property require planning permission

4. All components of the air source heat pump must be at least one meter from the property boundary

5. Installation on pitched roofs is not permitted. If installed on a flat roof, all components of the air source heat pump must be at least one meter from the outer edge of that roof

6. Permitted development rights do not apply to installations in mansions of protected buildings or in sites designated as declared monuments

7. On land within protected areas or World Heritage sites, air source heat pumps must not be installed on walls or roofs facing a highway, or closer to any property-restricted highway than any part of a building

8. On land other than protected areas or World Heritage sites, if the wall faces the highway, the air source heat pump shall not be installed on any part of the wall above the ground floor.

In addition, the following conditions must also be met. Air source heat pumps must be:

1. For heating purpose only

2. When micro-generation is no longer needed, remove it as soon as reasonably practicable

3. Where practicable, the site is selected to minimize the impact on the appearance of the building and its impact on the amenity of the area.

You may wish to discuss with the local planning authority in your area whether all of these restrictions and conditions are met.