From early next year, millions of homeowners will no longer need planning permission to install a heat pump after the government scrapped the one-metre rule.
This rule previously meant if a heat pump was within one metre of a neighbouring property planning permission was required.
But now heat pumps can be installed without requiring planning permission and will now qualify as permitted developments, a move that has been hailed as a “game changer” by the heat pump industry.
What were the previous regulations?
Before the legislation was changed, no heat pump could be installed within one metre of a neighbouring property under permitted development rights.
Heat pumps could also only be 0.6m³ in size and detached homes could only install one heat pump per house.
Now from next year, the allowable size limit has increased from 0.6m³ to 1.5m³ and detached homes can install two heat pumps per house.
However, listed buildings and properties in conservation areas will still require planning permission.
Why have the regulations been changed?
The decision to remove planning permission requirements by the government was encouraged by the government’s plans to speed up clean heat adoption.
The move was also encouraged by Octopus Energy’s research that showed around 40% of their customers require planning permission for heat pumps and 34% are put off from installing a heat pump due to planning requirements.
The government’s own findings into heat pump noise levels, the DEFRA review, also found that homeowners next door to heat pumps reported few noise complaints from the heating system, justifying the removal of the one metre rule.
Industry hail decision a ‘game changer’ for heat pumps
The heat pump and wider heating industry have overwhelmingly hailed the government’s decision, claiming the previous regulations were “outdated”.
Chris O’Shea, CEO of Centrica, said: “We are delighted that the government is making it easier for households to install heat pumps by removing the outdated 1m planning rule in England and increasing the funding available in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.”
Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy, who had campaigned for the changes said: “More than a third of customers who order a heat pump drop out because of planning issues, leaving them stuck with dirty, inefficient gas boilers. Removing outdated and unnecessary red tape is an urgent priority to grow this sector and get low cost, safe, clean heating technology into British homes.”
Dhara Vyas, CEO of Energy UK, said: “It is welcome to see the government increase funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme set out more detail on the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, and remove planning barriers to heat pump installations.”
Aira UK CEO, Daniel Särefjord, said: “Today’s announcement will be a game-changer for heat pump adoption across the UK. It is a much needed and welcomed intervention from the government to ensure customers can save serious amounts of money on heating costs and enable our country to meet net zero targets.”
