Planning Permission
Solar Panels
In many cases fixing solar panels to the roof of a single dwelling house is likely to be considered 'permitted development' under planning law with no need to apply for planning permission.
There are, however, important exceptions and provisos which must be observed.
These permitted development rights apply to houses. If you live in a flat and are considering fitting solar panels you are advised to contact your LPA for guidance.
Roof or Wall Mounted Solar Panels
The following limits apply to roof and wall mounted solar panels:
·Panels should not be installed above the ridgeline and should project no more than 200mm from the roof or wall surface.
·If your property is a listed building installation is likely to require an application for listed building consent, even where planning permission is not needed.
·If your property is in a conservation area or in a World Heritage Site planning consent is required when panels are to be fitted on the principal or side elevation walls and they are visible from the highway. If panels are to be fitted to a building in your garden or grounds they should not be visible from the highway.
PP: Standalone Solar Panels
The following limits apply to standalone solar panels:
·Should be no higher than four metres
·Should be at least 5m from boundaries
·Size of array is limited to 9 sq m or 3m wide and 3m deep
·Should not be installed within boundary of a listed building
·In the case of land in a conservation area or in a World Heritage Site it should not be visible from the highway.
·Only one stand alone solar installation is permitted.
All solar installations are also subject to the following conditions:
·Panels on a building should be sited, so far as is practicable, to minimise the effect on the appearance of the building.
·They should be sited, so far as is practicable, to minimise the effect on the amenity of the area.
·When no longer needed for microgeneration they should be removed as soon as possible.
Building Regulations
If you wish to install a solar panel on your roof building regulations will normally apply.
The ability of the existing roof to carry the load (weight) of the panel will need to be checked and proven. Some strengthening work may be needed.
Building regulations also apply to other aspects of the work such as electrical installation. It is advisable to contact an installer who can provide the necessary advice.
Solar Panels
In many cases fixing solar panels to the roof of a single dwelling house is likely to be considered 'permitted development' under planning law with no need to apply for planning permission.
There are, however, important exceptions and provisos which must be observed.
These permitted development rights apply to houses. If you live in a flat and are considering fitting solar panels you are advised to contact your LPA for guidance.
Roof or Wall Mounted Solar Panels
The following limits apply to roof and wall mounted solar panels:
·Panels should not be installed above the ridgeline and should project no more than 200mm from the roof or wall surface.
·If your property is a listed building installation is likely to require an application for listed building consent, even where planning permission is not needed.
·If your property is in a conservation area or in a World Heritage Site planning consent is required when panels are to be fitted on the principal or side elevation walls and they are visible from the highway. If panels are to be fitted to a building in your garden or grounds they should not be visible from the highway.
PP: Standalone Solar Panels
The following limits apply to standalone solar panels:
·Should be no higher than four metres
·Should be at least 5m from boundaries
·Size of array is limited to 9 sq m or 3m wide and 3m deep
·Should not be installed within boundary of a listed building
·In the case of land in a conservation area or in a World Heritage Site it should not be visible from the highway.
·Only one stand alone solar installation is permitted.
All solar installations are also subject to the following conditions:
·Panels on a building should be sited, so far as is practicable, to minimise the effect on the appearance of the building.
·They should be sited, so far as is practicable, to minimise the effect on the amenity of the area.
·When no longer needed for microgeneration they should be removed as soon as possible.
Building Regulations
If you wish to install a solar panel on your roof building regulations will normally apply.
The ability of the existing roof to carry the load (weight) of the panel will need to be checked and proven. Some strengthening work may be needed.
Building regulations also apply to other aspects of the work such as electrical installation. It is advisable to contact an installer who can provide the necessary advice.
Summary
Solar Panels may not require planning permission but will probably require building control approval.
Solar Panels may not require planning permission but will probably require building control approval.
Alpha Surveys
© Copyright 2008 Alpha Surveys. All rights reserved
© Copyright 2008 Alpha Surveys. All rights reserved
Alpha Surveys
Planning for the future
Tel : 0151 6018887
Solar Panels
Definitions of terms used in this guide:
IMPORTANT NOTE: The permitted development allowances described here apply to houses, not flats, maisonettes or other buildings. You should check with your Local Planning Authority whether permitted development rights apply - they may have been removed by what are known as Article 4 directions.
Other consents may be required if your house is listed or in a designated area. Designated land includes: conservation areas, World Heritage Sites, national parks and the Broads and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. These may have
some restricted permitted development rights for
householders. It is better to contact your LPA in such
circumstances.
‘Original house’ - The term ‘original house’ means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you
may not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so.
‘Designated land’ - Designated land includes national parks and the Broads, Areas of 0utstanding
Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.
Installation, alteration or replacement of a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe: Read guidance on the permitted development regime under Class G of the regime which came into force
on 1 October 2008.
DISCLAIMER: Users should note that this is an introductory guide and is not a definitive source of
legal information.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The permitted development allowances described here apply to houses, not flats, maisonettes or other buildings. You should check with your Local Planning Authority whether permitted development rights apply - they may have been removed by what are known as Article 4 directions.
Other consents may be required if your house is listed or in a designated area. Designated land includes: conservation areas, World Heritage Sites, national parks and the Broads and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. These may have
some restricted permitted development rights for
householders. It is better to contact your LPA in such
circumstances.
‘Original house’ - The term ‘original house’ means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you
may not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so.
‘Designated land’ - Designated land includes national parks and the Broads, Areas of 0utstanding
Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.
Installation, alteration or replacement of a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe: Read guidance on the permitted development regime under Class G of the regime which came into force
on 1 October 2008.
DISCLAIMER: Users should note that this is an introductory guide and is not a definitive source of
legal information.
Standard Service
Includes a full dimensional survey of your property plus the Alpha Surveys Architectural planning package.
Includes a full dimensional survey of your property plus the Alpha Surveys Architectural planning package.
Budget Service
Includes the planning package without a dimensional survey. The client must provide the required dimensional information and also make the necessary submissions to the Planning and building Control Departments.
Includes the planning package without a dimensional survey. The client must provide the required dimensional information and also make the necessary submissions to the Planning and building Control Departments.
