ASHP Legislation

nodosh3

Hi, is there any legislation regarding the installation of ASHPs that specify the distance from the front of the unit to the boundary fence? We have been told ours is too close to the fence and that it should be at least 1 metre from the boundary fence. Is this correct, and if so, what is the legislation and how do we find it? Thank you.

paul991

https://www.isoenergy.co.uk/latest-news/renewable-energy-news-from-isoenergy/a-complete-guide-to-air-source-heat-pumps

koru

The 1m rule is (currently) one of the conditions for the HP to count as permitted development. If the HP does not qualify then the installation is not permitted without planning permission. The criteria used to assess applications vary depending on the council. Some would probably deny permission for any HP that is this close to the boundary.

There are consultations taking place about removing the 1m rule, but no clear time frame for when this will take effect. (If this does happen, I'm not sure if this would apply to existing installations.)

MP1995

nodosh3 said:

Hi, is there any legislation regarding the installation of ASHPs that specify the distance from the front of the unit to the boundary fence? We have been told ours is too close to the fence and that it should be at least 1 metre from the boundary fence. Is this correct, and if so, what is the legislation and how do we find it? Thank you.

Who has "told you", just for context.

matt_drummer

It is here

Planning Permission: Air source heat pump - Heat pumps - Planning Portal

Planning Permission: Air source heat pump

From 1 December 2011 the installation of an air source heat pump on domestic premises is considered to be permitted development, not needing an application for planning permission, provided ALL the limits and conditions listed below are met.These permitted development rights apply to the installation, alteration or replacement of an air source heat pump on a house or block of flats, or within the curtilage (garden or grounds) of a house or block of flats, including on a building within that curtilage. A block of flats must consist wholly of flats (e.g. should not also contain commercial premises).Limits to be met:Development is permitted only if the air source heat pump installation complies with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Planning Standards (MCS 020) or equivalent standards. Read more about the scheme.The volume of the air source heat pump’s outdoor compressor unit (including housing) must not exceed 0.6 cubic metresOnly the first installation of an air source heat pump would be permitted development, and only if there is no existing wind turbine on a building or within the curtilage of that property. Additional wind turbines or air source heat pumps at the same property requires an application for planning permissionAll parts of the air source heat pump must be at least one metre from the property boundaryInstallations on pitched roofs are not permitted development. If installed on a flat roof all parts of the air source heat pump must be at least one metre from the external edge of that roofPermitted development rights do not apply for installations within the curtilage of a Listed Building or within a site designated as a Scheduled MonumentOn land within a Conservation Area or World Heritage Site the air source heat pump must not be installed on a wall or roof which fronts a highway or be nearer to any highway which bounds the property than any part of the buildingOn land that is not within a Conservation Area or World Heritage Site, the air source heat pump must not be installed on any part of a wall above the level of the ground floor storey if that wall fronts a highway.Please note: ‘permitted development’ rights may be removed through a planning condition, Article 4 Direction or other restriction.In addition, the following conditions must also be met. The air source heat pump must be:Used solely for heating purposesRemoved as soon as reasonably practicable when it is no longer needed for microgenerationSited, so far as is practicable, to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and its effect on the amenity of the area.You may wish to discuss with the Local Planning Authority for your area whether all of these limits and conditions will be met.Find your local planning authority

michaels

koru said:

The 1m rule is (currently) one of the conditions for the HP to count as permitted development. If the HP does not qualify then the installation is not permitted without planning permission. The criteria used to assess applications vary depending on the council. Some would probably deny permission for any HP that is this close to the boundary.

There are consultations taking place about removing the 1m rule, but no clear time frame for when this will take effect. (If this does happen, I'm not sure if this would apply to existing installations.)

This uncertainty is annoying for us as we have a really good potential site that currently would need planning permission and an alternative site that is much less convenient and requires a massive pipe run so potentially it makes sense for us to wait - but how long given there is no certainty on what might be decided eventually.