Installing certain renewable energy technologies, such as solar panels and biomass boilers, has now been made a lot simpler thanks to Permitted Development Rights introduced on 6th April 2008 in England and 12th March 2009 in Scotland.
Solar PV and solar thermal (roof mounted):
Permitted unless:
- panels protrude more than 200mm when installed.
Additionally in Scotland only:
- installed on any part of the external walls of the building if the building contains a flat
- panels when installed on a flat roof are situated within 1 metre from the edge of the roof or protrude more than 1 metre above the plane of the roof
- panels when installed project higher than the highest point of the roof (excluding the chimney)
- the building is within a conservation area or World Heritage Site and the solar PV or solar thermal equipment is installed on a roof which forms the front of the building and is visible form the road.
Note additionally in Scotland only: The solar PV or solar thermal equipment must, as far as is reasonably practical, minimise its effect on the amenity of the area and be removed when it is no longer needed or used for domestic microgeneration.
Solar PV and solar thermal (stand alone):
Permitted unless:
- more than 4 metres in height
- installed less than 5 metres away from any boundary (England Only)
- above a maximum area of array of 9m2
In England only:
- situated on a wall within any part of the curtilage of the dwelling house and would be visible from a highway in Conservations Areas and World Heritage Sites.
Additionally in Scotland only:
- installed a distance from the boundary of the curtilage of the dwelling house which is less than the height of the array
- within the curtilage of a listed building
- results in more than one free standing solar
- the building is within a conservation area or World Heritage Site and the solar PV or solar thermal equipment is installed on a wall or roof which forms the front of the building and is visible form the road.
Note additionally in Scotland only: The solar PV or solar thermal equipment must, as far as is reasonably practical, minimise its effect on the amenity of the area and be removed when it is no longer needed or used for domestic microgeneration.
Wales and Northern Ireland
Permitted Development and planning policy in general is a devolved responsibility. The Welsh Assembly Government and Northern Ireland Government are currently all considering changes to their legislation on permitted developments, to facilitate installations of microgeneration technologies. Legislation is expected in both countries later in 2011.
Until then, householders in Wales and Northern Ireland must consult with their local authority regarding planning permission.