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  5. Planning Permission: Ground source or water source heat pump

Heat pumps

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  1. Planning Permission: Ground source or water source heat pump
  2. Planning Permission: Air source heat pump
  3. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme
  4. Building Regulations
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Planning Permission: Ground source or water source heat pump

The installation of a ground source heat pump or a water source heat pump on domestic premises is usually considered to be permitted development, not needing an application for planning permission.

If you live in a listed building or a conservation area you should contact your council to check on local requirements.

If you are installing a new ground source heat pump after 1 October 2023 you may need to get a permit from the Environment Agency. Full details around permits and exemptions from requiring permits are available on the government website1.

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    1. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/closed-loop-ground-source-heating-and-cooling-systems-when-you-need-a-permit

    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.


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        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.