Do I need planning permission?
Domestic small-scale microgeneration equipment such as solar panels, ground and water source heat pumps, and the erection of a flue forming part of a biomass heating system may not need planning permission.
The Planning Portal provides helpful advice as to what can be installed without planning permission .
Information on whether planning permission is required for the installation of a wind turbine, an air source heat pump or other renewable energy sources can be found within Part 40 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order) (Amendment) 2011 by clicking here.
What if Planning Permission is required?
Each application will be judged on its own merits and will depend on the individual circumstances of the site.
Important considerations for example are the site location of the developments, the site designations such as a Listed Building, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or a Conservation Area and in the case of a wind turbine, the turbines height, and any likely noise or shadow flicker impact on the amenities of the neighbouring properties as a result of the development.
If planning permission is required for the installation of solar panels it is recommended that the panels are installed in a vertical line with any existing windows in the building, and if a number of panels are to be installed, they are set evenly spaced within the roof plane.
In the event of a planning application being submitted the proposal would be assessed by the relevant Planning Policies, Supplementary Planning Guidance and Government guidance.
In addition to planning permission you may need Building Regulations approval. Please contact the Council's Building Control Department for further information and advice in this regard.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Local Plan 1996-2011
Policy E1 of the Local Plan 1996-2011 would be applicable to such a development and sets a general criteria for new development, seeking to ensure that new development proposals are of a high standard of design, respond ‘to the local context of buildings’, respect the proportions of the host building and the amenities of the neighbouring occupiers.
In particular criterion (v) of Policy E1 seeks to ensure that new developments incorporate, ‘features to minimise the energy consumed in the construction and future use of the building, conserve water and minimise water use’.
Also of relevance Policy A6 of the Local Plan 1996-2011 states that, ‘proposals will be permitted to generate energy from renewable sources provided that:
i) the proposal, including any associated transmission lines, buildings and access roads has no adverse impact on the historic character, townscape, or nature conservation interests and the proposal has no adverse impact on the amenity of the area in respect of noise, dust, odour and traffic generation
ii) provision is made for the removal of the facilities and reinstatement of the site should it cease to be operational.’
In the context of designated buildings or land, some additional planning policies may also apply to the development please refer to the adopted local plan for further information in this regard.
Government guidance
In general terms Government guidance within ‘The Energy White Paper’ (2003) and the 'National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (2012), encourages the use of renewable energy resources, as well as ensuring the prudent use of these resources and the effective protection of the environment.
