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Planning permission guidance
Guidance for homeowners and businesses. Making changes to listed buildings. Development in conservation areas. Installing renewable energy sources.
Planning permission for renewable energy sources
We declared a climate emergency in 2019. Encouraging greener buildings is a top priority in our climate change strategy. We encourage the installation of renewable energy and heating systems. Also, retrofitting homes and business premises in Southwark.
You can usually install renewable energy and heating systems, such as photovoltaic (PV) panels and air or ground-source heat pumps, without needing planning permission. This applies if the system meets certain conditions, including its size and location and heritage rules.
If you're unsure if your proposal needs planning permission, use our checker service.
If you want to be certain that your project does not need planning permission, you can then apply for a lawful development certificate (LDC).
If your proposal needs planning permission, use our free pre-application service for renewable energy, heat and retrofit projects.
Community Energy London
Boiler upgrade scheme
Through the boiler upgrade scheme, you could get a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boiler.
Adding solar panels to your property
You do not usually need planning permission to install solar panels on your home. The panels should be fitted as close to the roof as possible, and must not be higher than the pitch of the roof. You can apply for a lawful development certificate to make sure your panels are permitted development.
If you want to install solar panels and live in a conservation area or a listed building, you will need to apply for planning permission.
When installing solar panels on your property, consider:
- installing panels on south, east or west-facing roofs (don't fit them on a north-facing roof as it gets too little sunlight)
- if anything is blocking the light, for example, a large tree or a nearby building (this could limit the amount of energy generated by the panels)
- installing only if your roof pitch angle is between 30 and 40 degrees (if you want to install panels to a flat roof, you may need planning permission)
Adding a heat pump to your property
You do not usually need planning permission to install a heat pump at your home. Air source heat pump installation must comply with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Planning Standards and the pump must be at least one metre from your property boundary. Check the other conditions you need to meet.
If you want to install a heat pump to a listed building, you will need to apply for planning permission. If your property is in a conservation area, then the pump must not be visible from the public highway.
You should also check for any planning conditions or restrictions at your property that affect your permitted development rights.