Planning permission is no longer required for the installation, alteration or replacement of a domestic air source heat pump (ASHP), in Scotland, subject to a number of conditions.
Following an amendment of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992, development of ASHP in Scotland is now permitted providing; that the ASHP is only used to provide domestic heating or hot water; it is removed as soon as reasonably practical if the ASHP is no longer needed or not fit for purpose; and it complies with MCS Planning Standards or equivalent. There are also restrictions on the location of the ASHP, including impact on surrounding buildings.
Heat pump manufacturer Dimplex has welcomed the decision and says it could encourage more Scottish homes to take advantage of renewable heat.
Chris Stammers, product marketing director, said: “The climate in Scotland is well suited to ASHP, a proven technology which is helping to drive down the cost of heating for thousands of householders – especially in rural areas which have no access to gas. Unfortunately though, the need to apply for planning permission has understandably put some people off.
“With this change, it becomes easier for installers to sell the benefits of ASHP and I’m confident once they understand the cost-savings that can be generated over its lifetime, many more householders will go green.”