Skip to content
Advertisement
Log in 
  • Do you need permission?
  • Planning
  • Building control
  • Services and information
  • England
  1. Welcome to Planning Portal
  2. Do you need permission?
  3. Common projects
  4. Flues for biomass and combined heat and power systems - non-domestic
  5. Planning permission

Flues for biomass and combined heat and power systems - non-domestic

Select...
  1. Planning permission
  2. Building Regulations
Advertisement

Planning permission

In many cases installing a flue on non-domestic land as part of a biomass heating system, or a combined heat and power system, is likely to be considered permitted development with no need to apply to the council for planning permission.

There are, however, important limits which must be met to benefit from the permitted development rights:

  • The capacity of the system must not exceed 45 kilowatts thermal
  • Only the first installation of a flue as part of either a biomass heating system or a combined heat and power system will be permitted development. Further installations will require planning permission from the local authority
  • The flue must not be more than one metre higher than the highest part of the roof, or the height of an existing flue which is being replaced, whichever is the highest
  • Permitted development rights do not apply to installing flues on listed buildings, within the grounds of a listed building, or on a site designated as a scheduled monument.

Non-domestic land for the purposes of these permitted development rights is broad and can include businesses and community buildings.

You may wish to discuss with the local planning authority for your area whether all of the limits will be met.

Find your local planning authority (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/find-your-local-planning-authority)

Find your local planning authority

Permitted development rights are also available for domestic properties:

  • Biomass systems for domestic properties
  • Combined heat and power systems for domestic properties


Restrictions

If the building is on designated land* the flue should not be installed on a wall or roof slope which fronts a highway.

* Designated land includes national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.

If you are a leaseholder you may need to get permission from your landlord, freeholder or management company.

Find a Trade Professional

Use our partner directories to find a planning or building professional to help with your project or development.

Find a professional (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/find-a-trade-professional)

Find a professional


Useful links

Make an application (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/app/applications)

Make an application

Speak to an expert (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/planning-guidance-service)

Speak to an expert

Studio Charrette consultancy calculator (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/home-improvement/planning-consultancy-calculator)

Studio Charrette consultancy calculator

Sell your site with Land Match (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/commercial-developments/sell-your-site)

Sell your site with Land Match

      Disclaimer

      This is an introductory guide and is not a definitive source of legal information. Guidance is based on national rules, but additional local rules may also affect what permissions are needed. You should check if this is the case before applying or starting work.
      Guidance here relates to the planning regime for England, the policy in Wales may differ. If in doubt contact your local planning authority. Please note, local authorities may charge a fee for pre-application advice.
      Read our full disclaimer.


        • About the Planning Portal
        • Services and information
        • Help
        • Accessibility statement
        • Cookie notice
        • Website Terms and Conditions

          The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2025 Planning Portal.

          The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2025 Planning Portal.