Focused on Planning and what you can do, I had been told and comes across many confused people in regards to what you can or cant do. – don’t forget to check out our Solar Pergola and UK law post here.
Permitted development is a non application for doing work to your home and garden, this is to avoid planning applications and delays as well as cost. There are a set of rules which you can find at the “planning portal”. But its worth noting that RenewSolar is part of We Home Services, and as a result we come across much of the planning and regulations as well as standards ( though we have higher standards).
Can you build a solar fence?
The rules on fencing materials are not defined. However you may want to review the fact that you are building an electrified fence which is illegal. The fence isnt and electric fence as such, but should it be broken the voltage would kill if it is touched. this can also happen if there is a fault. SO you need to be fully aware of this.
Can I build a ground mount solar system?
Ground mount solar is defined in the permitted development rules. you will find this is limited and you have to be a set size. This would appear to address someone just putting a solar farm into a domestic gardens.
Can I put solar on a building?
It is fairly unlimited, planning has to be sought around airports and conservation areas.
The twist here is that pergolas garages and out buildings and car ports can also have solar on their roofs.
If you need to build something – South facing…. The main confusion is about height and size.
How high and what size??
It’s important to be precise as the rules can be quite detailed and specific to different types of development (e.g., extensions, outbuildings, loft conversions).
Here’s a breakdown of the eaves height limits under Permitted Development in the UK, and what “eaves” typically refers to in this context:
What are Eaves?
The “eaves” are the part of a roof that projects horizontally beyond the face of the wall. In planning terms, the eaves height is generally measured from the ground level immediately adjacent to the building to the point where the external wall, if projected upwards, would meet the lowest point of the upper surface of the roof slope. The overhang itself is usually ignored for this measurement.
Permitted Development Eaves Height Limits:
The 2.5-meter eaves height limit is often mentioned, but it’s crucial to understand when and where it applies:
- Outbuildings (e.g., sheds, garages, garden rooms):
- If the outbuilding is within 2 meters of a boundary, the maximum eaves height is generally 2.5 meters.
- If the outbuilding is more than 2 meters from a boundary, the maximum eaves height is still typically 2.5 meters, but the overall height can be higher (up to 4 meters for a dual-pitched roof, or 3 meters for other roof types).
- Extensions (to the main house):
- For extensions, the general rule is that the eaves height cannot be higher than the existing eaves of the original house.
- However, if the extension comes within 2 meters of a boundary, the maximum eaves height for that part of the extension cannot exceed 3 meters.
Key Considerations for all Permitted Development:
- Overall Height: There are also limits on the overall height of the development (e.g., typically 4 meters for single-storey extensions or outbuildings with dual-pitched roofs).
- Original House: Permitted development rights generally apply to the “original house,” which is how the house stood on 1st July 1948 or when it was first built, if later. Any previous extensions count towards your permitted development allowances.
- Designated Land: Rules can be stricter in “designated areas” such as National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Conservation Areas, and World Heritage Sites.
- Article 4 Directions: Local authorities can remove permitted development rights in specific areas by issuing an “Article 4 Direction.” Always check with your local planning authority.
- Total Area Covered: The total area of all extensions and outbuildings generally cannot exceed 50% of the total area of land around the original house.
- Purpose: Outbuildings must be “incidental” to the enjoyment of the dwelling house (i.e., not for use as a separate dwelling).
- Materials: Materials used in exterior work should be similar in appearance to those of the existing house.
In summary, while 2.5 meters at the eaves is a common limit, especially for outbuildings close to a boundary, it’s not a universal rule for all permitted development. The specifics depend on the type of development and its proximity to boundaries.
Always verify the specific rules with your Local Planning Authority (LPA) or consult the official Planning Portal website (www.planningportal.co.uk) for the most accurate and up-to-date guidance for your particular project.
Outbuildings, including sheds, garages, garden rooms, greenhouses, and other ancillary garden structures (like sauna cabins or playhouses), can often be built under Permitted Development rights without needing a full planning application, provided they meet specific limits and conditions
Building Regulations:
Even if planning permission isn’t needed under PD, building regulations might still apply, especially for larger outbuildings or those with specific uses. Generally:
- Outbuildings under 15 square meters with no sleeping accommodation are usually exempt.
- Outbuildings between 15 and 30 square meters, with no sleeping accommodation, are usually exempt if they are at least 1 meter from any boundary or are built primarily with non-combustible materials.
Solar panels (photovoltaic and thermal) often fall under permitted development rights in the UK.
- Roof/Wall Mounted:
- Generally permitted development if they do not project more than 200mm from the roof/wall surface.
- They should not be installed higher than the highest part of the roof (excluding the chimney).
- In Conservation Areas, wall-mounted panels generally cannot be on a wall facing a highway.
- Not permitted development on a listed building.
- Ground Mounted:
- The first ground-mounted solar installation can be permitted development, but subsequent ones need permission.
- No part of the installation should be higher than 4 meters.
- The installation should be at least 5 meters from any property boundary.
- The size of the array should be no more than 9 square meters (or 3m wide by 3m deep).
- In a Conservation Area, if the equipment is closer to the highway than the nearest part of the house, it should not be higher than 2 meters.
- Not permitted development within the boundary of a listed building or scheduled monument.
- In World Heritage Sites, no part should be nearer to any highway bounding the house than the nearest part of the house.
Solar Fences:
A “solar fence” would typically involve solar panels integrated into or mounted on a fence structure. This is a less common application for residential PD.
- Boundary Treatment Rules: Fences themselves have PD limits. Generally, a fence needs planning permission if it’s over 1 meter high and next to a highway, or over 2 meters high elsewhere.
- Solar Panel Rules: The solar panels mounted on the fence would also need to adhere to the ground-mounted solar panel rules (e.g., 5m from boundary, 9m² max, height limits).
- Likely Requirement for Planning Permission: Given the combination of a fence structure and solar panels, and the specific limitations on ground-mounted solar (especially the 5m boundary setback), it’s highly probable that a “solar fence” would require planning permission. It’s unlikely to neatly fit within the standard PD for either a fence or ground-mounted solar, particularly if it’s close to a boundary or of significant size. The LPA would want to assess its visual impact and potential overshadowing.
- RenewSolar has carried out a risk assessment on solar fences. You may find safe operation rather limited to your plans or ideas. One of the biggest factors are burns.
Solar Pergola:
A “solar pergola” typically means a pergola structure with solar panels integrated into its roof. Pergolas themselves have PD rules, and then the solar panels add another layer.
- Pergola PD Rules (Similar to Outbuildings):
- Must be “incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse.”
- Cannot be forward of the principal elevation.
- Height:
- If within 2 meters of the boundary, maximum height of 2.5 meters.
- If further away from the boundary, maximum height of 3 meters (for non-pitched roofs) or 4 meters (for pitched roofs).
- Cannot cover more than half the area of land around the original house (including other outbuildings).
- No balconies or verandas. Raised platforms (like a base for the pergola) no higher than 300mm.
- Stricter rules apply in conservation areas, AONBs, and for listed buildings.
- If it’s effectively an extension, it would be treated as such (see extension PD rules).
- Solar Panel Integration:
- The solar panels would then need to meet the roof-mounted solar panel criteria, but applied to the pergola’s roof.
- They typically shouldn’t protrude more than 200mm from the roof plane.
- The overall height of the solar pergola (including panels) would need to stay within the pergola’s maximum height limits.
- Likely Outcome: A solar pergola is more likely to fall under permitted development than a solar fence, provided the pergola itself meets all the outbuilding/pergola PD criteria, AND the solar panels integrated into its roof also meet the roof-mounted solar PD criteria. However, if the pergola is large, very close to a boundary, or in a designated area, planning permission could still be required.
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