Domestic Properties
To install solar on a domestic property, this generally falls under Permitted Development and no planning permission is required.
However there are exceptions. For example if you have a listed building or have other specific limitations you may need planning permission. You should satisfy yourself that you have no such restrictions for your site: planning portal.
Commercial Properties
For pitched roofs, the rules are essentially the same as for domestic properties. However a couple of additional points that are not considered for domestic are worth noting:
- Not allowed if capacity exceeds 1 MW
- They need to know glare is not an issue
What this boils down to is a need for the developer to write to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) for prior approval (PA) which looks like this:
- Apply to the LPA for prior approval
- The LPA will put up a site notice and notify neighbours (consultation)
- They may ask for additional information
They will do one of:
- Notify that PA not needed
- Notify that PA is given
- Not respond – if they have not responded after 56 days then you can proceed anyway
- Refuse prior approval – you can can then apply for planning permission
So the practical steps are to use the planning portal:
- Create an account
- Apply online
- When online you step through a process; a useful tip to see the upcoming questions in advance is to download the pdf forms here
For the application:
- Do a red line plan with buildings (Block or site plan) – shows where building is
- Roof plan showing where panels will go
- Do elevation if useful
- Diagram which proves no glare
The fee is £96.
You may want to use a planning consultant to help guide you through this process. If you prefer, we can help you with it, for which we would charge consultancy fees (available on request).
