This summer my central heating replacement is definitely happening. At some point in the future I want to include solar thermal hot water heating so, given that I’ll be replacing my hot water cylinder anyway, this means I’ll need to fit one with twin coils (one for the boiler primary, the other for the solar circuit). Anyway, that is a topic for discussion another day.
Firstly, I thought I’d better find out what the planning situation for a solar collector was. The planning law changed a couple of years ago so that for most houses common renewable energy sources are covered by “permitted development” laws – in the same way that you are entitled in principle to build an extension of a certain size, you are now allowed to add solar thermal panels and solar PV – see the EST website and Planning Policy Statement 22.
The exceptions to this are Listed Buildings and buildings in a Conservation Area – the former always needs planning permission (I think) and the latter may need permission. My house is in a conservation area and, to a layman anyway, the rules don’t seem quite so clearly laid out in this case. My understanding, after speaking to my local planning officer, is that you are allowed to install a solar panel providing it is “not visible from a public vantage point,” namely a footpath or road. I could imagine that could be quite a challenge for a lot of houses. Fortunately for me I have a slope at the back of a valley roof which is SSW facing and a only the ridge tiles are visible from the road/paths.
As recommended though I submitted a “Householder Permitted Development Enquiry” form, along with £42, at the end of April for the council to review. This included a plan of the roof, dimensions of a typical 30-tube collector and a picture of the house/roof take from the road. I heard back last week that planning is not required 
though the wording includes that it is “officer opinion only” and “not binding on the council.” They also state that if you need a formal decision on whether you need planning or not then you have to apply for a “certificate of lawfulness” (which I thought I was doing anyway)… I should really follow that up now, but at least it means I can plan the central heating system with solar in mind.
Note:
I know this blog has sat idle for a long time – mainly because there wasn’t much “green” progress (or progress at all!) on the house last year. Here are some posts in the pipeline:
- internal insulation of solid walls (I’ve pretty much decided on products now)
- loft insulation – see earlier (once my CH pipes have gone I’ll be able to complete this job)
- surface insulation products for a solid, kitchen floor (a sorry tale!)
- gas condensing boiler choice and weather compensation
- solar thermal cylinders
- solar thermal system choice (this may not be until next year when the RHI has been agreed)
May 26, 2010 at 8:20 pm
A quick follow-up… I spoke to a planning office at my local council again: Apparently if you were to sell your house most solicitors are happy with the letter stating that the informal opinion of the local planning office is that a planning application is not required. If you want something in writing you need to apply for a “Certificate of Lawfulness” (another form to fill in plus 50% of a planning app fee, i.e. £75 for me). With hindsight I wish I’d done that (and be told I could!) in the first place, but given that I’m not planning to move any time soon I think I’ll leave it for now anyway.