Homeowner's Requirement for Planning Approval to Install a Garden Heat Pump
Homeowner's Fossil-Fuel-Free Plan Hits Planning Hurdle
In Monmouthshire, Wales, homeowner Mr. Croker's plan to make his house entirely fossil-fuel free has hit a planning hurdle. Despite no noise concerns or visual concerns reported, the addition of an air source heat pump has triggered the need for planning permission due to its proximity to a neighbouring property.
Mr. Croker sought to replace a gas boiler and install an air source heat pump in his back garden. The heat pump, a Daikin Altherma 3 Low Capacity Monobloc EDLA-E 4kW, was fitted one metre away from the boundary of a neighbour's wooden fence and two metres from a patio door. The heat pump is modest in size and will largely be screened by existing boundary fences, having limited visual impact on the surrounding area.
Heat pumps typically qualify under permitted development rights, but can still be subject to certain conditions. In England, the heat pump must be at least one metre from a neighbouring property's boundary. However, in Wales, the distance required is three metres, making Mr. Croker's heat pump ineligible for permitted development rights.
The addition of an air source heat pump is welcomed by Monmouthshire County Council, but only if it is within a suitable brick or timber housing. Despite no noise concerns or visual concerns, the heat pump must be in "brick or timber housing" according to the planning approval. Homebuilding & Renovating have contacted Monmouthshire County Council for clarification over why this enclosure is necessary but have yet to receive a response.
Mr. Croker's plan aims to install a heat pump to efficiently heat his home while reducing energy consumption and environmental impact. The heat pump requires no alterations to the exterior of the building and has a sound pressure level of 44 dBA, making it quieter than a typical refrigerator. No unacceptable noise impact from the heat pump has been reported, and there are no objections from neighbours.
The council has stated that no works shall commence on site until details of a means of enclosure for the air source heat pump within a suitable brick or timber housing have been submitted to and agreed by the local planning authority. This requirement has halted Mr. Croker's plan for the time being, but he remains hopeful that the issue will be resolved soon, allowing him to continue on his journey towards a fossil-fuel-free home.
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