Renewable energy - retrofit your property

How can I lower my home’s carbon emissions?

There are lots of things you can do under permitted development (without planning permission) to improve your home’s carbon emissions. This includes installing different types of renewable energy technology.

Full details of your property’s allowances can be found using our Self-Certification Forms.

If the works you are proposing are on, or in the grounds of, a listed building, you may require listed building consent, which should be applied for before any works start.

Solar panels

Residential

Solar panels can be permitted development on both residential (houses and flats) and commercial properties. You can put the solar panels on your building or on land within the grounds of the building. There are limitations including their position and projection from the wall of the building and height. A full list of the limitations can be found on our ‘Solar Panels’ and ‘Renewable Energy’ self-certification forms.

Commercial

You can also install, alter or replace solar panels on non-domestic premises or within their grounds under permitted development. There are several restrictions to this permitted development, for example, permitted development will not apply if the building is listed, the site is a scheduled ancient monument, or if the panels project more than 20cm from the roof slope. A full list of limitations can be found on our ‘Solar Panels’ and ‘Renewable Energy’ self-certification forms.

Solar canopy

The installation, alteration or replacement of a solar canopy above non-domestic off-street parking is permitted development. There are several restrictions to this permitted development, for example, the canopy cannot be more than four meters above the ground. Anything higher than this, will need planning permission. A full list of the limitations can be viewed on the relevant self-certification form.

Ground source heat pumps

Residential

The installation, alteration or replacement of ground source heat pumps within the grounds of domestic premises (houses and flats) are permitted development with no restrictions.

Commercial

The installation, alteration or replacement of ground source heat pumps is also permitted development on non-domestic buildings. The limitations to this permitted development are that you cannot excavate more than 0.5 hectares, only one ground source heat pump is permitted and the pump is removed when it is no longer needed.

Water source heat pumps

Residential

The installation, alteration, or replacement of water source heat pumps within the grounds of domestic premises (houses and flats) are permitted development with no restrictions.

Commercial

Water source heat pumps are also permitted development on non-domestic buildings. This includes their installation, alteration or replacement. The limitations to this permitted development are that the total surface area covered by the water source heat pump and any pipes must not exceed 0.5 hectares.

Air source heat pumps

The installation, alteration or replacement of air source heat pumps on or within the grounds of domestic premises (houses and flats) are permitted development. There are several restrictions to this permitted development, for example, you can only have one air source heat pump. If you want any more, you will need to apply for planning permission. A full list of the limitations can be found on the relevant self-certification form.

Flue for biomass heating system

Residential

A biomass heating system will require the installation of a flue, which is permitted development on domestic premises (houses and flats). The only restrictions are that the flue cannot be more than one meter above the highest part of the roof, and if your property is located in a conservation area, the flue cannot be installed on a wall or roof slope adjacent to the road.

Commercial

The installation, alteration or replacement of a flue in connection with a biomass heating system is permitted development on non-domestic buildings. There are some restrictions to this permitted development, for example, you can only have one flue. If you want any more, you will need to apply for planning permission. A full list of the limitations can be found on the relevant self-certification form.

Flue For combined heat and power

A combined heat and power system will require the installation of a flue, which is permitted development on domestic premises (houses and flats). This includes their installation, alteration or replacement. The only restrictions are that the flue needs to be less than one meter above the highest part of the roof, and if your property is located in a conservation area, the flue cannot be installed on a wall or roof slope adjacent to the road.

Commercial

The installation, alteration or replacement of a flue in connection with a combined heat and power system is permitted development on non-domestic buildings. There are some restrictions to this permitted development, for example, you can only have one flue. If you want any more, you will need to apply for planning permission. A full list of the limitations is set out in the relevant self-certification form.

Wind turbines

Wind turbines on or within the grounds of domestic premises (houses or flats) can be installed, replaced or altered under permitted development. There are restrictions to this permitted development, including that you can only have one wind turbine. If you want any more, you will need to apply for planning permission. A full list of the limitations can be viewed on the relevant self-certification form.