Changes to permitted development rights for domestic heat pumps

The Department for Infrastructure has today announced amendments to permitted development rights for domestic heat pumps.

The changes will come into effect from Tuesday 4 July 2023 and follow a public consultation in late 2022.

Planning plays a crucial role in facilitating the uptake of renewable and low carbon energy technologies and these amendments will help address climate change and protect the environment by encouraging the use of low carbon heat technologies, whilst ensuring the provision of such infrastructure is sited and designed to keep environmental and amenity impacts to a minimum.

The relaxation to the permitted development rights will now make it easier for energy consumers and providers to utilise renewable energy technologies, such as air source heat pumps, without the need for planning permission, subject to certain conditions and limitations. This will help reduce the reliance of individual properties on fossil fuel heat and power sources and positively address issues such as energy decarbonisation and fuel poverty.

The Regulations and Explanatory Memorandum can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023 will amend the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 by applying new permitted development rights for the installation of microgeneration equipment.
2. The consultation on the review of permitted development rights for the installation of domestic microgeneration equipment and reverse vending machines ran from 27 October 2022 to 23 December 2022. Details of the consultation together with the Departmental response can be found at the following link: Consultation on changes to planning permitted development rights to protect the environment and help address climate change | Department for Infrastructure (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk)
3. Air source heat pumps will now no longer require planning permission, subject to certain conditions and limitations, as long as they are at least 1 metre from the boundary of a neighbouring property and comply with the prescribed noise standard.
4. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk  Out of hours please contact the duty press officer on 028 9037 8110.
5. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure.

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