Significant changes to permitted development planning rules

Screwdriva

On 27/8/2026, the permitted development right permitting the installation of solar equipment on a house, block of flats or building within the curtilage was updated.

A couple that stood out:

• In the case of plug-in solar, any part of the solar equipment should not be installed on a wooden wall, balcony or enclosure, or any exterior clad in timber.
• If your property is in a conservation area, or in a World Heritage Site, panels must not be fitted to a wall, balcony or roof enclosure which fronts a highway.

I wonder what the technical definition of a roof enclosure is? Surely they do not mean the roof itself?

Martyn1981

Does sound odd. I'd be totally guessing, but perhaps any form of railing, balustrade etc that may be in place? As I thought solar was largely PD now for conservation areas.

But I think I've heard that some conservation areas do require planning permission for roofs that face the highway, especially in Wales(?)

NedS

I read that as anything facing the highway in a conservation area is not allowed under PD, but installation where the panels cannot be seen from the highway is allowed, which makes sense to me in a conservation area.

Netexporter

My Welsh panels face the highway. Not a conservation area, though.

NedS

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82116804#Comment_82116804

I've edited my post (thanks). I meant in a conservation area :-)