Energy efficiency planning advice

On 11 October 2021, we declared a climate change and nature emergency for the district.

There are many ways you can retrofit your home and introduce measures to reduce your energy use. If you are already considering building an extension or undertaking other renovation works to your property, this provides a great opportunity to undertake other works to enhance the energy performance of your home.

These pages provide some advice for householders on common retrofit measures you may be considering and what permissions you will require.

How to get planning permission

You may need planning permission. This will depend on the type of your property, the details of the proposals and site location.

Generally, internal changes will not require planning permission, unless the proposals relate to a listed building. External measures such as solar panels, air-source heat pumps and new more thermally efficient windows need planning permission in certain locations and if certain criteria are not met.

If you are in a conservation area it is more likely you will need to make an application or adhere to certain conditions. If your project is to a listed building then typically it will need our permission, including for internal alterations.

The pages below provide advice on some commonly proposed measures.

Get planning help

We offer 15-minutes free general advice and guidance with a duty planning officer by phone appointment to support you if you are thinking about extending your home or carrying out minor works.

You can find out more details about our duty planner service.

The planning portal also offers advice on energy saving advice.

Some modifications may require you to apply for building regulations. Our building control team will be able to you with this.