Solar Panels and Wind Turbines - Micro Renewable Installations

A guide to the need for planning permission.

‘Micro Renewables’ is the term given to small scale renewable technologies, such as solar or wind, that are of a scale suitable for domestic properties.

If Government targets are to be met, a greater diversity of renewable energy schemes will need to be developed. East Devon District Council supports people’s attempts to provide for renewable energy schemes. However, in certain circumstances planning permission will be required, and this note provides a quick reference to enable householders to make an informed decision. You are strongly advised to seek written confirmation from the Council as to whether your proposed installation requires planning permission. For this, please complete, and submit to the Council, a ‘Householder Enquiry’ form'.  This form should be completed with the necessary information about the position and size of the installation and then returned to the Council for a written view as to whether planning permission is required.

Please note:  Not all houses have the same “Permitted Development Rights”, and you should therefore check with the Council before carrying out any work.

Solar Hot Water Panels and Solar Photo-Voltaics (PVs) installed on the roof of a house:-

  • If you live in a Conservation Area or in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), you will need planning permission unless the installation is so small that it does not materially affect the appearance of the house. As a guide, if the installation is visible from public areas, is large in area, or projects more than about 10cm above the roof slope; it is likely to affect the appearance of the house and will require planning permission.
  • In other areas not covered by the above designations, planning permission will only be required if the installation is on the roof slope fronting any highway or is of an unusual design such as a high projection from the roof slope.
  • If you live in a listed building you will always need Listed Building Consent. This is a separate consent from planning permission and you may also require planning permission depending on the criteria outlined above.
  • If you live in a flat, you will require planning permission for the installation if it materially affects the appearance of the building.  Again, as a guide, this will relate to how visible it is from public areas, its size and projection from the roof slope.

Solar Hot Water Panels and Solar Photo-Voltaics installed as a free standing structure

These installations do not usually require planning permission provided:-

  • They are not located closer to the highway than your house (unless you have 20 metres clear between the installation and the highway).
  • The installation is not over 3 metres in height.

Wind Turbines

  • If the installation is physically attached to the house, it would require planning permission if any part of it extends above the highest part of the roof (does not include chimney), or it projects closer to the highway than the house (unless you have 20 metres clear between the installation and the highway).
  • If the installation is free standing in the garden, it will require planning permission unless no part of the installation is higher than 3 metres.

In practice, this means most domestic wind turbines will require planning permission as it is desirable in order to achieve maximum efficiency to have the installation as high as possible.

It is stressed that the information on this page is a guide only and, should you be in any doubt, please contact the Planning Department at East Devon District Council for further advice.