PLANNING PERMISSION and PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT. What are they?
Permitted Development
You can perform certain types of work without needing to apply for planning permission. These are called "permitted development rights".
They derive from a general planning permission granted not by the local authority but by Parliament. Bear in mind that the permitted development rights which apply to many common projects for houses do not apply to flats, maisonettes or other buildings. Similarly, commercial properties have different permitted development rights to dwellings.
In some areas of the country, known generally as 'designated areas', permitted development rights are more restricted. For example, if you live in:
a Conservation Area
a National Park
an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
a World Heritage Site or
the Norfolk or Suffolk Broads.
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You will need to apply for planning permission for certain types of work which do not need an application in other areas. There are also different requirements if the property is a listed building.
The Planning Portal's general advice is that you should contact your local planning authority and discuss your proposal before any work begins. They will be able to inform you of any reason why the development may not be permitted and if you need to apply for planning permission for all or part of the work.
Since 1 December 2011 the installation of an air source heat pump on domestic premises has been considered to be permitted development, not needing an application for planning permission, provided specified limits and conditions are met. This relaxation of permitted development laws has been introduced to make it more appealing to people who want to have air source heat pumps installed without planning permission.
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If you live in a listed building or a conservation area you should also contact your council to check on local policy.
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Check out INTERACTIVE TOOLS at The Planning Portal
England Regulations For Air Source Heat Pump Permitted Developments
Domestic heat pump installation will be classed as a Permitted Development, providing they comply with the following criteria.
There is no wind turbine at the property
The external is less than 0.6 m3 (The largest unit that we install is roughly half of this)
The unit is more than one metre from the edge of the householders property (This means the unit has to be not within 1 meters of your neighbours property)
It is not on a pitched roof or near the edge of a flat roof
Additional criteria will need to be met if the house is in a World Heritage Site
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This list is just an outline guide, you should read the full legislation here.
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Scottish Regulations For Air Source Heat Pump Permitted Developments
A domestic installation of an air source heat pump in Scotland will be classed as a Permitted Development, unless:
It would result in the presence within the curtilage of a dwelling of more than one air source heat pump
The air source heat pump would be situated less than 100 metres from the curtilage of another dwelling
The air source heat pump is visible from the road in a conservation area
The air source heat pump would be within a World Heritage Site or the curtilage of a listed building
In addition, before beginning the development the developer must apply to the planning authority for:
A determination as to whether the prior approval of the authority will be required for the siting and external appearance of the air source heat pump
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This list is just an outline guide for permitted development in Scotland. Full legislation details can be read here
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If your project falls outside permitted development and does need planning permission, we can help by introducing your to our prefered planning consultant, who can manage your application to the point of decision.
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