Air Source Heat Pump rules relaxed along with air con and car charging points
The government has today released details of a relaxing of the rules surrounding air source heat pumps for homes across England and as the weather starts to warm up, has allowed air con to be installed under permitted development for the first time. In addition we have seen a relaxing on car charging points both for residential and commercial operations.
If you have just ordered an ASHP or about to, you might want to change that order in light of these changes! These rules apply to both England and Wales.
Sadly many air conditioning websites have stated that air con units do not need planning. This has been false information leaving the home owner subject to enforcement.
Read on to see what has changed…….
Air Con allowed under PD, as rules relaxed!
As from the 29th May 2025 you will be able to install a combined AIr Con / Air Source Heat Pump unit. Prior to this date any equipment which was capable of acting as an air con unit required planning permission if placed outside. This will make a big difference in households as we see rising temperatures in the country.
Rules have also been relaxed in the location and number of units. The restriction saying that any unit had to be 1m from the boundary has gone for all dwellings. Any detached house, can now have two ASHPs/Air-con units as opposed to one. Previously planning was required for the second one. Other properties must be content with one, unless planning is obtained.
Any unit on a dwelling, can now be 1.5 cubic metres in size as opposed to the previous limit of 0.6m more than doubling their size. Provided it is not a block of flats.
On our page here we have detailed all the changes and included the new legislation. Note that any ASHPs installed before 29th May 2025 must adhere to the old rules.
So maybe if you have just ordered a unit, maybe look to see if you can add air-con. Remember any dedicated air-con units will still need planning permission after the end of May, despite what many air conditioning websites say – you will be subject to enforcement for 10 years if you install one of these outside! Planning Geek can help with that application if required – click here.
Car Charging Points rules relaxed
Although not as big a change as the air-con, for smaller wall mounted units you no longer need to have them facing away from the road when within 2m of the boundary. These smaller units are still limited to 0.2 cubic metres. The changes from 29th May 2025 are detailed on this page along with the revised legislation.
For larger units, the government is now allowing these units of up to 2.7m in height within 2m of a road. Plus for the first time, housing for additional equipment to operate the car charging points is allowed under permitted development. This can be up to 29 cubic metres, and not higher than 3m. It however can’t be within 5m of a highway or 10m of any domestic dwelling. You can find out more including the new legislation on this page.
The full legislation to the changes are contained within The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2025 which was laid before Parliament on 8th May 2025 and comes into force on 29th May 2025
Planning Geek Updates Page updated: 11th May 2025
