Renewable energy for householders

This page is intended to help householders who are considering installing renewable energy equipment understand whether they need to apply for planning permission.

There are increasing opportunities for householders to make use of renewable energy sources and we encourage the development and use of sustainable technology. We are, however, required to operate within the legal framework and cannot set aside the need to apply for planning permission or building regulations consent.
Whether or not you need planning permission, you may also need to apply for building control consent. To find out how the building regulations affect your proposal please telephone us on the number given below before commencing work.
Where work is incorporated within proposals to extend a dwelling, the need for planning permission will be dealt with as part of that process. Where work applies solely to the installation of renewable energy, the following guidelines apply.

Wind turbines

You will need planning permission if your house is within a conservation area.
If your house is listed you will need to apply for listed building consent.
Otherwise, for turbines fixed to a house you not need permission if the turbine will
be no higher than the highest part of the roof nor exceed 4m in height if located within 2m of the boundary.

Free standing turbines do not require planning permission providing they are less than 3m high overall (including any mounting or pole) and are not located between the house and the highway.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal equipment 

If your house is in a conservation area you will need permission for panels on a wall or roof slope visible from a highway. The same applies to installations on garages or outbuildings.
If your house is listed you will need to apply for listed building consent.
You do not need permission to install solar PV or solar thermal equipment on a wall or a roof providing it does not protrude more than 200mm beyond the plane of the wall or roof and is no higher than the highest part of the roof.

Stand alone solar 

You do not need permission for a stand alone solar within your boundary providing there is only one, it is no higher than 4m above ground level, is within 5m of the boundary and would not exceed 9 square metres in surface area or the array is no more than 3m high or wide.
If your house is in a conservation area you do not need permission providing the solar is not visible from a highway.
If your house is listed you will need to apply for listed building consent

Ground source heat pumps/water source heat pumps 

You do not need permission to install a ground or water source heat pump, but may need permission if you need to construct a building or extension to accommodate it. You may need consent if your house is a listed building.

Biomass or combined heat and power system 

You do not need permission to install a biomass or combined heat and power system, but may need permission if you need to construct a building or extension to accommodate it. You may need consent if your house is listed.
You do not need permission to install, alter or replace a flue serving this type of heating system providing it is no more than 1m higher than the highest part of the roof.
If you live in a conservation area you will need permission if the flue is on a wall or roof slope visible from a highway
If your house is listed you will need to apply for listed building consent.

Small hydro-electric system 

The need for permission depends on the particular nature of the proposal.

You may need permission if you need to construct a building or extend your home to accommodate it. You may also need listed building consent if your building is listed.

What if I need permission? 

Follow the link below to download application forms and notes or you can collect them from our customer service centre. We encourage you to contact us for informal advice, especially if you live in a conservation area.

Where can I find out more information?

You can find out more information about sustainable construction in our Sustainable Construction Advisory Guide (see download below).

Downloads:

File name	Summary	File size / Download time	File Format
Adobe Acrobat Reader is available FREE of charge. You can download it directly from Adobe's website by clicking the link to the right. Once on Adobe's website, follow the instructions on screen to install the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Sustainable Construction Advisory Guide	AVDC guide to sustainable construction - January 2004	1MB 56Kbps Modem: 2 Minutes 34 Seconds Broadband : Less than 1 Minute