Planning permission and air source heat pumps

elljay

We are beginning to think about getting an ASHP to replace the solid fuel heating (woodburner) currently in this house.  However, as it's a barn conversion, permitted development rights have been removed so from my research it looks as though we'll have to apply for full planning permission.  Conservation area too though this doesn't seem to be a problem as long as certain restrictions are adhered to.   Full PP could take ages and considerably add to costs when we hoped to have it done during the summer.

We're just at early stages of looking into it at the moment but it does seem the way to  go.  I've been looking for examples of applications on the planning portal and my local authority's website but find none.  Has anyone else been in the same situation and can tell us what's involved - paperwork, planning consultant needed etc?  Or is there another way of doing it (for example we did think about applying to have the permitted development rights reinstated) or any other ideas.

Thanks,  Liz

Swipe

Give your local planning office a call. They'll be happy to advise you.

Reed_Richards

I'm afraid this forum does not have many regular contributors with ASHPs.  I did not apply for planning permission (I looked into the issue but it appeared to be a permitted development).

@ispookie666 applied for planning permission for an air-to-air heat pump system https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6258898/storage-heater-alternative-infrared-vs-lpg-vs-air-source-heat-pump/p7 but we don't know if this has been dealt with yet.  

ispookie666

I applied for Air to Air ASHP. The council has sent out consultations to neighbours and interested parties. 
I did all the paperwork, including the  elevation (copied it from the previous planning application) and purchased the site and location plan. All in all cost me around £300 and a half days work of drawing. The only additional information needed was, manufacturer document about the product (specifications - about size, noise etc) 

I got fed up of waiting as had not heard anything for a few weeks (past their usual time frame for application validation) and installed 2 of the 3 units, left the big one out. 

No idea if I'll need sound impact or noise report. 

I'm 6 weeks and counting 

shinytop

elljay said:

We are beginning to think about getting an ASHP to replace the solid fuel heating (woodburner) currently in this house.  However, as it's a barn conversion, permitted development rights have been removed so from my research it looks as though we'll have to apply for full planning permission.  Conservation area too though this doesn't seem to be a problem as long as certain restrictions are adhered to.   Full PP could take ages and considerably add to costs when we hoped to have it done during the summer.

We're just at early stages of looking into it at the moment but it does seem the way to  go.  I've been looking for examples of applications on the planning portal and my local authority's website but find none.  Has anyone else been in the same situation and can tell us what's involved - paperwork, planning consultant needed etc?  Or is there another way of doing it (for example we did think about applying to have the permitted development rights reinstated) or any other ideas.

Thanks,  Liz

@elljay, alhough we're in a conservationa area too, we didn't need PP.  Take a look at the link below, there's a chap there who had to apply and describes what he did in some detail.  I think he also gives links to his application. 
https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/renewable-heating-air-source-heap-pumps-ashps/planning-permission-for-air-source-heat-pumps
Good luck!

[Deleted User]

ispookie666 said:

I applied for Air to Air ASHP. The council has sent out consultations to neighbours and interested parties. 
I did all the paperwork, including the  elevation (copied it from the previous planning application) and purchased the site and location plan. All in all cost me around £300 and a half days work of drawing. The only additional information needed was, manufacturer document about the product (specifications - about size, noise etc) 

I got fed up of waiting as had not heard anything for a few weeks (past their usual time frame for application validation) and installed 2 of the 3 units, left the big one out. 

No idea if I'll need sound impact or noise report. 

I'm 6 weeks and counting 

Our neighbour did the same when he erected a Gazebo with a Roman statue on a plinth. He was very upset when his Application was refused some weeks after the deadline. The Council cited Covid as the reason for the delay. Undaunted, he lodged a Planning Appeal which he lost. Result: one Gazebo and Statue removed. Hopefully, your situation will be reviewed more favourably.

matelodave

This is a good write up about radiators (for those who are considering a heatpump with rads) - https://www.paperturn-view.com/uk/stelrad-radiators/stelrad-fit-for-the-future?pid=MTI124119&v=2

You can download it as a PDF if you dont like the paper-turn presentation.

elljay

Thank you all a million times over for these replies plus the links.  I had hoped that there might be a shortened version of planning permission for things like this but it looks as though all the usual stages, consultations, parish council meetings and so on have to be gone through as with any bigger application.  Such a pain!  I don't think t's the conservation area that's this issue, it's the fact that the permitted development rights have been removed as usually ASHPs can be installed under those rights without a problem. Looks like it isn't going to happen before winter though, so we'd best get our skates on  Thanks again all.

ispookie666

Managed to get the planning approval(kind of retrospective) for the two installed units.  For the larger one, the environmental planning officer wanted to see noise assessment report.  I took the option of removing the larger unit from the application and going with just the smaller units.  

Fly100

My understanding is one unit does not need permission. You should be concious of the noise they can make and how it effects surrounding properties.

Rodders53

Fly100 said:

My understanding is one unit does not need permission. You should be concious of the noise they can make and how it effects surrounding properties.

MIGHT not need...  England and Wales (other UK country mileage may vary) https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/27/heat_pumps/2