The 1m boundary planning rule for ASHPs scrapped from 29/05/2025 in England and Wales

barker77

Hmm wonder if it will result in changes that map across to the BUS?

NedS

wrf12345 said:

Are you allowed to have a heat pump at the front or does it have to be sides and/or back? Good updates to the rules, though.

Assuming not in a conservation area, when installed to the front of a property it must be installed at ground level (either ground mounter or wall mounted at ground level), then it falls as permitted development:

G.2  Development is not permitted by Class G if—

(j)in the case of land within a conservation area or which is a World Heritage Site the air source heat pump—

(i)would be installed on a wall or a roof which fronts a highway; or

(ii)would be installed so that it is nearer to any highway which bounds the curtilage than the part of the dwellinghouse or block of flats which is nearest to that highway; or

(k)in the case of land, other than land within a conservation area or which is a World Heritage Site, the air source heat pump would be installed on a wall of a dwellinghouse or block of flats if—

(i)that wall fronts a highway; and

(ii)the air source heat pump would be installed on any part of that wall which is above the level of the ground floor storey.

michaels

We want to put on a flat roof side extension. Does anyone know if this is now permitted? Thanks

NedS

michaels said:

We want to put on a flat roof side extension. Does anyone know if this is now permitted? Thanks

The original restrictions did not permit, under G.2:

(f)the air source heat pump would be installed on a pitched roof;

(g)the air source heat pump would be installed on a flat roof where it would be within 1 metre of the external edge of that roof;

The amendments make changes to paragraphs (a), (d), and (e), so no changes to either G.2 (f) or (g) above. So permitted development allows for installation on a flat roof as long as it's not within 1m of the edge of the roof (I assume you are not in a conservation area).

FreeBear

michaels said:

We want to put on a flat roof side extension.

You need to think very carefully about putting a HP on a flat roof. The roof may act as a sound board and amplify noise/vibration. Or you might find the roof is carrying noise in to the structure of the main building.

Fixing a HP to a slab at ground level allows you to decouple it from the building and provide a degree of isolation.

If you opt for mounting on the flat roof, have a backup plan should you find noise is greater than anticipated.

Alnat1

There's the problem of getting the very heavy heat pump up there and finding an installer who would be happy to work at height. Structural issues with the strength of the flat roof would have to be considered as would ongoing maintenance.

michaels

You are all correct, the plan would actually be to wall mount slightly above the flat roof, not sure if that would therefore get round the 1m rule mentioned above! Structural calcs are ok but indeed installers have sounded cautious but said not impossible.
Have seen suggestions online re using spring dampers to reduce vibration transfer to the property.
Would also probably use one of the landscaping boxes as it would be visible from the road.

NedS

michaels said:

You are all correct, the plan would actually be to wall mount slightly above the flat roof, not sure if that would therefore get round the 1m rule mentioned above! Structural calcs are ok but indeed installers have sounded cautious but said not impossible.
Have seen suggestions online re using spring dampers to reduce vibration transfer to the property.
Would also probably use one of the landscaping boxes as it would be visible from the road.

I'm not sure that would get around the 1m roof exclusion, and would not be permitted if the wall fronts a highway, so unless the wall is to the rear of the property as it's above the level of the ground floor storey?
I would consult your local planning officer.

michaels

It is a side wall about 3m back from the front elevation so obviously visible from the street although I am not sure what 'fronts' means in this context.

From my biased POV I don't think it would cause any visual or sound issues, especially with an enclosure but who knows. Perhaps I should put up the enclosure with a 56db speaker inside it and see if anyone complains....

Martyn1981

Hi NedS, can I just check this does also cover Wales? I'm hoping to see such a change, but I think our current rule is 3m from a boundary, which for folk like me with a 7m wide property, makes it near impossible (as PD).

[Then again, given I've got 2 A2A units, and one is on the front of the house, and almost next to the boundary, I will keep fingers crossed. But would love to be able to recommend them to friends and neighbours, without them having to be 'naughty'.]