Planning guidance for heat pumps
In many cases, even in conservation areas, homes can have heat pumps installed without requiring planning permission from the Council. This is called permitted development. Make sure you and your installer understand the updated legislation on this issue.
Whilst some conservation areas in Richmond are subject to Article 4 Directions removing permitted development rights, none of these Directions have removed permitted development rights for heat pumps.
Air and ground source heat pumps
Air source heat pumps include:
- Air-to-water heat pumps - these provide hot water and home heating, typically through radiators and under-floor heating pipes
- Air-to-air heat pumps - these release warm air or cool air into the home and do not provide hot water
Air-to-air units are now included within air source heat pump permitted development rights, as long as they are used for heating, not just cooling.
Ground source heat pumps extract heat from the ground via buried pipes to provide heating and hot water.
Ground source heat pumps do not usually require planning permission as long as permitted development criteria are met.
If your property is listed, you will need listed building consent to install any type of heat pump.
Check if your installation is permitted development
If you meet all these criteria, you will not need to apply for planning permission to install a heat pump as permitted development rights will apply:
- The unit must not be on a listed building or within its grounds, or within a scheduled monument site (if your property is a listed building or a scheduled monument, you will need both planning permission and listed building consent)
- The air source heat pump must comply with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Planning Standards (MCS 020) or an equivalent standard. (From 28 May 2026, MCS 020 will be the only permitted certification scheme - see the MCS site and the Planning Portal)
- The volume of the unit must be no larger than 1.5m³ for a house or 0.6m³ for a block of flats
- Detached houses can install up to two heat pumps. A non-detached house or a block of flats can install only one unit. Any more than this would require planning permission
- There must be no existing wind turbine on the property or within its grounds
- The unit must not be installed on a pitched roof
- The unit may be installed on a flat roof, but all parts of the installation must be at least 1 metre from the roof edge
- Some units may be installed on a wall or roof facing a highway (except a pitched roof) or at ground floor level facing a highway. However, this is not allowed in a conservation area or World Heritage Site
- No unit can be installed on any part of a wall above the ground floor storey, if fronting a highway
- In a conservation area, no units can be nearer to any highway than any part of the building
- Permitted development rights regarding heat pumps do not apply to commercial facilities
In addition, the air source heat pump must:
- Not be used solely for cooling purposes
- Be removed as soon as reasonably practicable, when it is no longer needed
- Be sited, so far as is practicable, to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and its effect on the amenity of the area
For more information, see the Planning Portal.
The permitted development rights relating to air source heat pumps is contained within Part 14 (Renewable Energy) of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.
Free pre-application service
If you have questions about your installation or believe you need planning permission, our pre-application service can help you. This service is free if your application is related to promoting sustainable development (which includes heat pump installations).
Further information
For more details about heat pumps, including information on grants and funding, see our Smarter Homes Hub and Handbook.
For government advice on planning permissions, visit the Planning Portal.
Other useful websites:
- Visit a heat pump - visit Richmond residents who have installed a heat pump
- Energy Saving Trust - details of costs, savings and benefits
- Clean Energy campaign (GOV.UK) - guidance on installing a heat pump
- Get a Heat Pump - information, resources and guidance to help you make well-informed choices
Up to: Planning
Updated: 22 April 2026