PLANNING RULES FOR DOMESTIC SOLAR PANELS, HEAT PUMPS AND WIND TURBINES

Permitted development rights allow the installation, alteration or replacement of a wind turbine on domestic premises, but only in two limited circumstances:

On a house, if it is detached; or,

On a building within the curtilage of a detached house or a block of flats.

So if you have a stand-alone turbine, or are in a terraced or semi-detached house, you will need to apply for planning permission before installing your wind turbine.  Different rules apply for stand-alone turbines (i.e. not attached to a building) within the curtilage (see below). 

Permitted development rights for wind turbines only apply for the first turbine – any more than one and you will need a planning application.  This is also the case if you already have an air source heat pump in place at the property.

There are also limitations on the size of the wind turbine permitted:

The highest part of the turbine, including blades should not protrude more than 3m above the highest part of the roof (excluding the chimney) or exceed more than 15m in height, whichever is the lesser;

The distance between ground level and the lowest part of any blade of the wind turbine must be greater than 5 metres;

No part of the turbine should be within 5m of a boundary of the curtilage;

The swept area of any blade should not exceed 3.8 square metres;

In a conservation area, turbines should not be located on a roof slope which fronts a highway.

Furthermore,

the blades of the wind turbine must be made of non-reflective materials;

the wind turbine must, so far as practicable, be sited so as to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and so as to minimise its effect on the amenity of the area; and

the wind turbine must be removed as soon as reasonably practicable when no longer needed.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR STAND-ALONE WIND TURBINES AT DOMESTIC PREMISES

Slightly different requirements are placed upon stand-alone turbines located within the curtilage of a house or block of flats (i.e. they are not attached to a building).  Additional to the above criteria:

the stand-alone wind turbine must comply with the MCS Planning Standards or equivalent standards.

the highest part of the stand-alone wind turbine cannot exceed 11.1 metres in height

no part of the stand-alone wind turbine (including blades) can be located in a position which is less than a distance equivalent to the overall height (including blades) of the stand-alone wind turbine plus 10% of its height when measured from any point along the boundary of the curtilage;

FURTHER INFORMATION

The rules as described apply only to domestic premises in England and may be different in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Different rights apply to non-domestic premises. 

There may be conditions on a previous planning permission or other local restrictions, such as Article 4 Directions, which may limit or remove permitted development rights in some instances.

Note: permitted development rights do not apply where equipment is to be installed on or in the curtilage of a Listed Building or scheduled ancient monument. 

And Finally …  

PD rights are subject to change.  The guide above is for general information only and does not constitute advice.  Local and site-specific circumstances can differ and affect whether a planning application is needed.

Other consents (such as Building Regulations or notifications under the Party Wall Act) may also be needed. 

To determine whether planning permission or other consents are required, seek professional advice or clarification from your local authority before starting works.