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Class E: Biomass flues on domestic premises
Class E concerns installation, alteration or replacement of a flue for a biomass heating system on a dwellinghouse or block of flats.
The flue must rise less than one metre above the highest part of the roof. A rise of exactly one metre is outside this Class.
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Key exclusions
E.1 excludes a flue extending one metre or more above the highest part of the roof. On article 2(3) land, a flue on a wall or roof slope fronting a highway is also excluded. The right relates to the flue; other aspects of a heating installation can need separate checks.
Listed building consent may also be required where works affect a listed building’s special interest. For a non-domestic biomass flue, see Class N. Read Part 14, Class E.
Legislation
Class E – installation or alteration etc of flue for biomass heating system on domestic premises
Permitted development
E. The installation, alteration or replacement of a flue, forming part of a microgeneration biomass heating system, on a dwellinghouse or a block of flats.
Development not permitted
E.1 Development is not permitted by Class E if—
(a) the height of the flue would exceed the highest part of the roof by 1 metre or more; or
(b) in the case of land within a conservation area or which is a World Heritage Site, the flue would be installed on a wall or roof slope which fronts a highway.
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