Heat pumps
Heat pumps absorb heat energy from either the ground or the
outside air. This heat is then used to heat radiators,
underfloor heating systems, or warm air convectors and/or hot water
in your home. Heat pumps typically require the installation of
units on the outside of your residential property. The information
on this page outlines what you can install without needing to apply
for planning permission.
Whilst strictly speaking heat pumps are not a source
of renewable energy, their high efficiency can help reduce the
impact your home has on the environment and help combat climate
change. For more information relating to how you can help reduce
your home's energy usage together with the latest advice on
government incentive schemes please refer to the
Council's Climate Change: Residents section.
If the units you are proposing to install do not meet the criteria
below it does not mean that they cannot be installed, it simply
means that you need to obtain planning permission before doing
so.
Ground and water source heat pumps
The installation, replacement or alteration of a ground source
heat pump and/or a water source heat pump within the curtilage of a
dwellinghouse or block of flats does not require planning
permission.
There are no conditions attached.
Open air source heat pumps
The installation, alteration or replacement of an open air
source heat pump on a dwellinghouse or block of flats or within the
curtilage of a dwellinghouse or block of flats (whether on a
building or not), does not need planning permission as long as:
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The air source
heat pump complies with the
MCS Planning Standards or equivalent standards – (see
definitions)
This is the only air source heat pump on the same building or
within the curtilage of the building or block of flats
In the case of an air source heat pump there is not a wind turbine
- either stand alone on the same building or within the
curtilage
The volume of the air source heat pump’s compressor unit (including
any housing) does not exceed 0.6 cubic metres (eg. 1m x 1m x
0.6m)
No part of the air source heat pump will be located within one
metre of the boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse or
block of flats
The air source heat pump is not located on a pitched roof
If located on a flat roof, the air source heat pump is not within
one metre of the edge of that roof
The air source heat pump is located on a wall which fronts a
highway (must be outside a Conservation Area) and is located at
ground storey level (see definitions).
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Site specific restrictions
In addition to the above criteria there are still several site
specific restrictions that may apply to your residential property.
You can use our online mapping service to check to see if
these restrictions apply to your property.
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The air source heat pump is not located within a scheduled
ancient monument or the curtilage of a listed
building (either the dwelling or a block of flats)
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If located within a Conservation Area, the
equipment is located on a wall which DOES NOT front a highway
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Conditions
If your heat source pump meets all of the above
criteria you do not need to apply for planning permission before
you install the device, however there are still a number of
conditions that apply. These are as follows:
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It shall be used for heating purposes only
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It shall be sited as far as practicable to minimise its effect
on both the external appearance of the building and the amenity of
the area
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It shall be removed when no longer in use for
microgeneration
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Definitions
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Block of flats means any building which
consists wholly of flats
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Detached dwellinghouse or detached
building means a dwellinghouse or building, as the
case may be, which does not share a party wall with a neighbouring
building
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MSC Planning Standards means the product and
installation standards for air source heat pumps and wind turbines
specified in Microgeneration Certificate Scheme MSC 020(b) – we
recommend you seek advice from a suitably qualified and experienced
supplier with regard to this aspect.
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At ground storey level - Peterborough
City Council will interpret this as a level no higher than the
level of the floor joists between the ground floor and any first
floor above. Anything higher than the joist level will require
planning permission
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Disclaimer
This advice is not meant as a substitute for the actual
regulations contained in The Town and Country Planning (General
Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2011. You can
check this regulation by visiting www.legislation.gov.uk
Peterborough City Council Planning Services recommends that
before proceeding with any development that you obtain written
advice from the Council with regard to whether planning permission
is required. Please refer to the main Do I need planning permission?
page for further details.