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Do you Need Planning Permission For Air Conditioning?

Summer in the UK is getting warmer. The number of days when the temperature has hit 30C or above in England has more than trebled in the decade that ran from 2014 to 2024 compared to historical averages, according to this article from the BBC.

Despite that fact, we still seem to get caught out by heatwaves that seem to last longer and longer. At the time of writing (July 2026), we in the UK are on course for the driest July for 190 years.

This trend in increasing summer temperatures has home and business owners seeking an answer to the question ‘Do you need planning permission for air conditioning?’.

I will answer as best I can below; read on for a cool solution.

Air Conditioning and Permitted Development

Government legislation on the installation of air source heat pumps (ASHP) capable of providing cooling was updated on the 29th May 2025. I appreciate we are focusing on cooling a property here, but it’s important to understand that the legislation requires that any installed unit must have a heating capability to qualify as Class G permitted development.

The installation of an air conditioning unit purely for cooling purposes only would not qualify under Class G permitted development criteria.

If you live in a semi-detached or terraced house, you are limited to having only 1 air source heat pump installed under the permitted development rules.

The same limit of only 1 ASHP applies to a flat/apartment.

If you have a detached property, you may install up to 2 ASHPs as long as they comply with the criteria outlined in the planning guidance.

Class G – installation or alteration etc of air source heat pumps on domestic premises

You can view the full guidance here. Here are some key points for consideration:

Development is not permitted by Class G unless the air source heat pump complies with the MCS Planning Standards
In the case of the installation of an air source heat pump, a wind turbine is installed on the same building or within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse or block of flats;
In the case of the installation of an air source heat pump, a stand-alone wind turbine is installed within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse or block of flats;
The volume of the air source heat pump’s outdoor compressor unit (including any housing) would
- (i)in the case of the installation of an air source heat pump on, or within the curtilage of, a dwellinghouse, exceed 1.5 cubic metres;
- (ii)in the case of the installation of an air source heat pump on, or within the curtilage of, a block of flats, exceed 0.6 cubic metres;]
The air source heat pump would be installed on a pitched roof;
The air source heat pump would be installed on a site designated as a scheduled monument;
(i)the air source heat pump would be installed on a building or on land within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse or the block of flats if the dwellinghouse or the block of flats is a listed building;
(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.

Planning Permission For Commercial Air Conditioning Units

The installation of an air conditioning unit on a commercial property will require planning permission.

If you require assistance with the preparation of a planning permission application for the installation of an air conditioning unit in a commercial setting, my best advice would be to get in touch so we can understand the requirements and offer our best solution.

Michelle Hill MRTPI

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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Aeolus Air Quality C.

4 years ago

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Michelle was honest, responsive and ensured we were paid by their client on time. We would recommend Simple Planning Solutions and look forward to working with Michelle in the future.

Richard H.

4 years ago

Do you Need Planning Permission For Air Conditioning?

Air Conditioning and Permitted Development

Class G – installation or alteration etc of air source heat pumps on domestic premises

Planning Permission For Commercial Air Conditioning Units

Michelle Hill MRTPI

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