It is possible to make certain minor changes to your home without needing to apply for planning permission. These are called permitted development rights. Since April 6, 2008, these rights have been extended to include installing certain renewable energy technologies (with provisos).
The permitted development rights are not extended to Listed Buildings, which are covered by other planning regulations.
Planning permission is not required for solar panels on the roof of a dwelling, provided they do not project beyond the plane of any existing roof slope by more than 200 mm. However Building Control should be informed of the work being carried out, so that it can be deemed safe
For properties within a Conservation Area, the Council will want to ensure that solar panels are sited where they do minimal harm to the appearance of the property and to the area. However a solar panel on a building in a Conservation Area should not need planning permission, if it can be sited at the rear, or side of the property, such that the panel is not facing onto, or visible from, the road.
If a proposal affects a Listed Building, listed buildings consent will be required before solar panels can be installed. Listed buildings consent will only be granted where the Council is satisfied that the panels would not be detrimental to the character or appearance of the Listed Building.
For free and impartial guidance about renewable energy, please contact the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, based next to Buxton Town Hall, by calling 0800 512 012, or email customer-services@highpeak.gov.uk.
Planning permission is still currently required for all wind turbines. This includes turbines for domestic purposes.
In time, we are expecting changes to planning legislation to allow various "micro" wind turbines to be allowed, without having to apply for planning permission.
Wood fuelled boilers and stoves do not require planning permission, unless the flue exceeds 1m above the roof height. However, you will need permission if you live in a Conservation Area and your installation is visible from a road.
Planning permission may also be required for the construction of any new building to house the boiler or stove itself, or the storage of the wood fuel. Listed Buildings consent is required.
A ground source heat pump will only require planning permission in the event of it materially affecting the external appearance of the building, or if the works required to install it can be considered to constitute an engineering operation. Listed Buildings consent may, however, be required.
An air source heat pump is generally attached to the external surface of a building and planning permission may thus be required, if the external collector projects above the highest point of the building, or does not conform with the external finish of the building.
Planning permission is required for the majority of hydro-electric installations, as most involve erection of new structures. Consent may also be required from the Environment Agency for the abstraction of water from a watercourse.
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