

High energy pricing, climate change and energy security are three topics that dominate our everyday lives at the moment.
Local Solar Power
There are larger-scale projects that are looking to provide power to whole areas with solar power. These are clearly complex planning situations with many considerations.
For instance, 14,500 homes in the Warwickshire area are said to be benefitting from a Stratford-On-Avon district council decision to approve a solar farm. This BBC news article has more details about the case.
Domestic Solar Panels
However, we’d all like lower energy prices. The installation of solar panels can be a good long-term financial investment for savvy homeowners who want to cut their electricity bills. I am no authority on the actual cost savings, much of that will be relative to your personal situation.
Evo Energy provide a Solar Panel Calculator you can use to investigate the cost-saving benefits if you are interested in delving further into the financial details.
The installation of solar panels also helps with energy security as we look to move away from using Russian gas. In turn, this will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels moving forward. Which can only help when it comes to climate change and green issues.
All that is very worthwhile, but you are here to learn about the planning permission angle. So, the question remains, do you need planning permission for solar panels?
Solar panel installation can be performed now under permitted development. There are some exceptions where full planning permission may be required.
Solar Panel Permitted Development
Part 14 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 states –
Permitted development
A. The installation, alteration or replacement of microgeneration solar PV or solar thermal equipment on—
(a)a dwellinghouse or a block of flats; or
(b)a building situated within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse or a block of flats.
Development not permitted
A.1 Development is not permitted by Class A if—
(a)the solar PV or solar thermal equipment would protrude more than 0.2 metres beyond the plane of the wall or the roof slope when measured from the perpendicular with the external surface of the wall or roof slope;
(b)it would result in the highest part of the solar PV or solar thermal equipment being higher than the highest part of the roof (excluding any chimney);
(c)in the case of land within a conservation area or which is a World Heritage Site, the solar PV or solar thermal equipment would be installed on a wall which fronts a highway;
(d)the solar PV or solar thermal equipment would be installed on a site designated as a scheduled monument; or
(e)the solar PV or solar thermal equipment would be installed on a building within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse or block of flats if the dwellinghouse or block of flats is a listed building.
Conditions
A.2 Development is permitted by Class A subject to the following conditions—
(a)solar PV or solar thermal equipment is, so far as practicable, sited so as to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building;
(b)solar PV or solar thermal equipment is, so far as practicable, sited so as to minimise its effect on the amenity of the area; and
(c)solar PV or solar thermal equipment is removed as soon as reasonably practicable when no longer needed.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/596/schedule/2/part/14
Class A Permitted Development
The above information confirms the situations in which solar panels can be installed on a residential property under Class A permitted development rules.
Considering that information, we can see that planning permission may be required if –
- the solar panel installation would protrude more than 0.2 metres beyond the plane of the wall or the roof slope
- installation of the solar panel would result in the highest part of the solar panel being higher than the highest part of the roof (excluding any chimney);
- in the case of land within a conservation area or which is a World Heritage Site, the solar panels would be installed on a wall which fronts a highway
- the solar panels would be installed on a site designated as a scheduled monument; or
- the solar panels would be installed on a building within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse or block of flats if the dwellinghouse or block of flats is a listed building
Require Help?
If you are considering a project involving the installation of solar panels on a property I can help with the planning permission aspect. You should remember that solar panels would also need to comply with building regulations. I can help put you in touch with the right people to help with that too.
Do you need planning permission for solar panels? I can help submit a full application should your situation require it.
Please use the contact details below, and I can help you get your solar panel project to become a reality.
Michelle Hill MRTPI
As a leading planning consultant I can help with the topics covered in this post. Contact me and I can find you a solution to your planning problem.