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Class C: Ground source heat pumps on domestic premises
Class C permits the installation, alteration or replacement of a microgeneration ground source heat pump within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse or block of flats.
The Class itself does not state a size limit or a condition. The land and equipment must still fit its wording and other planning or heritage controls may apply.
Need help with permitted development?
Permitted development can avoid a full planning application, but only if the right applies and every relevant limit and condition is met. Planning Geek can check the planning history, Article 4 directions and other restrictions, and help with a lawful development certificate or prior approval where needed.
What should be checked?
Identify the dwellinghouse or block of flats, the curtilage and whether the equipment is a microgeneration ground source heat pump. Listed building consent may be needed where works affect a building’s special interest; the absence of a Class C exclusion does not remove that separate control.
The non-domestic counterpart is Class L. Check the current Part 14, Class C wording and article 3.
Legislation
Class C – installation or alteration etc of ground source heat pumps on domestic premises
Permitted development
C. The installation, alteration or replacement of a microgeneration ground source heat pump within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse or a block of flats.
Explore GPDO Part 14
- Part 14 overview: Renewable energy
- Class A: Solar on domestic buildings
- Class B: Stand-alone domestic solar
- Class C: Domestic ground source heat pumps
- Class D: Domestic water source heat pumps
- Class E: Domestic biomass flues
- Class F: Domestic combined heat and power flues
- Class G: Domestic air source heat pumps
- Class H: Wind turbines on domestic premises
- Class I: Stand-alone domestic wind turbines
- Class J: Solar on non-domestic buildings
- Class K: Stand-alone non-domestic solar
- Class L: Non-domestic ground source heat pumps
- Class M: Non-domestic water source heat pumps
- Class N: Non-domestic biomass flues
- Class O: Non-domestic combined heat and power flues
- Class OA: Solar canopies in commercial car parks
- Paragraph P: Definitions used in Part 14
- GPDO index
- Previous: Part 13: Water and sewerage
- Next: Part 15: Power related development
Page updated: 24th September 2026