For Not Requiring Planning Permission
Planning Permission Conditions
Installation of solar panels and equipment on residential buildings and land can be ‘permitted development’ i.e. no requirement to apply for planning permission with the Local Planning Authority providing the limits and conditions below are met.
Check with the Local Planning Authority for your area whether all of the limits and conditions will be met.
All solar installation must be with the boundaries of the property
Conditions
– Equipment on a building should be sited, so far as is practicable, to minimise the effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area.
– When no longer needed equipment should be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.
Limits
– Panels should not be installed above the highest part of the roof (excluding the chimney).
– Panels should not project more than 200mm from the roof slope or wall surface. Important: Panels mounted on a flat roof usually will project more than 200mm so will need planning permission.
– Panels must not be installed with the grounds of a listed building or scheduled monument.
– For properties in a conservation area or World Heritage Site, panels must not be installed facing a highway.
The solar installation must be with the boundaries of the house or block of flats. Permitted development does not apply to any other ground mount installation.
Conditions
– Equipment on a building should be sited, so far as is practicable, to minimise the effect on the amenity of the area.
– When no longer needed equipment should be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.
Limits
– Only the first installation will be permitted development, subsequent installations require planning permission.
– No part of the installation should be higher than 4m.
– The closest point of installation should be no less than 5m from the property boundary.
– Maximum dimensions of solar array is 9 sq.m or 3m wide x 3m deep.
– Panels must not be installed with the grounds of a listed building or scheduled monument.
– For properties in a conservation area or World Heritage Site, panels must not be installed closer to any highway than the house or flat block is.
Planning Tools
Help For Planning
Planning Guides
Guides For Planning Advice
Energy Efficiency and Historic Buildings (PV) – Historic England HEAG173
Guidance on installing PV systems on historic buildings.
Tips for designing solar sympathetically, which accompanies the Historic & Notable Buildings section above.
Ensuring Place-Responsive Design For Solar Photovoltaics On Buildings – CPRE
A good practice guide.
Solar Design Tips – CPRE
10 Point Guide
Planning 2