RSUA supports proposals on permitted development for low-carbon heating

RSUA welcomed the opportunity to respond to the Department for Infrastructures (DfI) consultation on the Review of Permitted Development Rights. This consultation is part of DfI’s continuing review of permitted development rights in light of its approach to better regulation.

RSUA remained largely in support of measures that make it easier for people to install low-carbon heating systems.

The proposed revisions from this consultation will mean that, subject to conditions and limitations, the need to submit a planning application for these developments will no longer be necessary, aiming to:

• Make it easier and quicker for homeowners to install low carbon heat pumps and for retailers to install reverse vending machines to promote and facilitate higher levels of recycling.
• Provide a considered balance between lightening the regulatory burden on businesses and individuals (and reducing any associated costs) while protecting the environment, amenity and public safety.

Deregulation by removing more development from the requirement for planning permission from councils will increase permitted development thresholds and intends to reduce the administrative and financial burden of the planning system on businesses and the public. Benefits include:

• Homeowners will not have to meet the costs for planning applications upfront or as part of an installation cost for installing domestic heat pumps.
• Reduced costs associated with preparing and submitting a planning application.
• Reducing the need for councils to assess planning applications for development with limited impacts allowing them to concentrate on larger development of more strategic benefit to their local area.

RSUA recognises the importance and necessity of this consultation’s role in reviewing parts of the planning system to remove additional constraints and costs by proposing increased permitted development thresholds.

RSUA supported air source heat pumps (ASHP) as permitted development if they comply with MSC Planning Standards or equivalent standards; any part of the ASHP would be at least 1 metre from another dwellinghouse; and increasing the height restriction from 2 metres to 3 metres. Though RSUA believes that ASHPs (albeit with conditions) will be required in conservation areas. The process for approval for this should be made as straightforward as possible.

In regards to ground or water source heat pumps under the currents rights development is not permitted if: it would involve the provision of any heat pump within an area of special scientific interest or a site of archaeological interest; or the dwelling house is within the curtilage of a listed building unless listed building consent for the development has previously been granted. These are two limitations which RSUA believes there may be value in retaining. RSUA would value the opportunity to discuss these points with officials.

For further information on the consultation document, click here.  

To view the consultation questions and RSUA’s full response to each, click here

Thank you to RSUA members, Maeve Gorman and Alan Ritchie, who added valuable contributions to RSUA’s response.