With the latest National Home Energy Survey showing that 69% of people are likely or very likely to buy or rent a property with solar panels, the government has relaxed some planning rules restricting fitting solar panels on houses in Conservation Areas.
In most cases, solar panels mounted on a roof or wall of a private house do not require planning permission. This is because they would normally fall under what is known as the homeowner’s ’permitted development rights’.
That is only the case though if your house is not in a Conservation Area, an Article 4 Area or is a Listed Building.
If it is you will have to apply for planning permission, but recent changes in national rules have relaxed the requirements for developments that are permitted in Conservation Areas.
This change means that homes with flat roofs no longer require planning permission to fit solar panels on the flat roof, provided that the panels don’t project 0.6 m or more beyond the highest part of the roof, excluding the chimney.
If your home is in a Conservation Area you will need to get prior approval from the council before installing the panels though.
You can find more information on our installing solar panels on your home web pages.
Our Do I need planning permission? page has links to more information about the implications of your home being in a Conservation Area, an Article 4 Area, or owning a listed property.
