Sava Welcomes Planning Rule Change That Unblocks Heat Pump Installations.
Sava welcomes the government’s changes to Permitted Development Rights for heat pumps – a long-overdue update that we believe will make it significantly easier for homeowners in England to install low-carbon heating systems.
One of the key planning restrictions – that air source heat pumps must be located at least one metre from a neighbouring property boundary – has now been lifted. The change, part of the government’s Warm Homes Plan to cut household bills and carbon emissions, removes a major obstacle for heat pump installation, particularly in dense urban areas and smaller plots.
Previously, homeowners had to apply for planning permission if they wanted to install a heat pump within one metre of a boundary, primarily due to noise concerns. In practice, this ruled out heat pumps for millions of properties – especially terraced homes, where siting options are limited.
“This is a crucial and sensible step forward,” said Hilary Grayson, Director at Sava. “We know from our surveying learners, graduates and industry partners that planning permission has been a major blocker, and I can validate this with my own personal experience. In urban areas it’s nearly impossible to comply with the previous distance requirement. And applying for planning consent has been a lottery. This rule change unblocks heat pumps for many homes where it was previously just too difficult, too much of a bother, making it far easier for surveyors and retrofit professionals to recommend low-carbon options with confidence.”
Data from Octopus Energy reinforces the issue. Nearly 27% of their customers have been asked to obtain planning permission before installing a heat pump – despite no such requirement for traditional gas boilers. And even when customers tried to comply, many encountered inconsistent rules and long delays.
Octopus reported that they have seen local authorities set arbitrary noise limits as low as 30dB for heat pumps, which is quieter than a whisper, yet oil boilers producing over 70dB don’t require permission. They report that it has been confusing, frustrating, and off-putting for consumers.
These inconsistencies have led to cancellations, delays, and missed opportunities to decarbonise homes – specially when installation is urgent, such as after a boiler breakdown.
With the updated rules now in effect, Sava believes the change will unlock significant potential for heat pump adoption across the country. It also underscores the importance of continued reform to streamline the journey for consumers and ensure that well-meaning planning rules do not unintentionally block progress on net zero goals.