Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed: These provide more scope for solar panel installations on buildings (or in the curtilage of a building) and in non-domestic off-street parking areas without needing full or householder planning permission. When will you need to make a prior approval application?
If the property is situated on a World Heritage Site or conservation area, solar equipment should not be mounted on a roof that forms the front face of the building or the side of the building visible from a public road. If your property is a listed building, you should consult your local planning officer.
The solar panels must not be visible from the road if you live in a conservation area or world heritage site. If the property is a listed building, planning permission will most likely be required. Any additional ground-mounted solar installations beyond the first one will also require planning permission.
Homeowners will be able to install rooftop solar panels more easily without costly planning delays. This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government Homes and businesses will be able to install rooftop solar panels more easily, under new rules announced today.
Solar panels must not be installed above the highest part of the roof, excluding the chimney. Panels should protrude no more than 200 mm from the roof or wall surface on pitched roofs. These conditions will also be satisfied if panels are mounted parallel to the roof on a sloping roof. On a flat roof, they shouldn’t protrude more than 600 mm.
The size of the system determines the notification process. If a solar panel system is going to be greater than 50kW prior approval will be required from the Local Planning Authority. This is a much less prescriptive process than a planning application.