Free planning advice on energy improvements
We want to fight climate change and reduce your energy bills.
Free planning advice is available for residents to help encourage the installation of solar panels; air source heat pumps; green roofs; insulation and other energy efficiency measures. Please contact our Duty Planning Service via planning@lbhf.gov.uk.
Benefits of making your home energy efficient
Changes or 'retrofitting your home' will help cut carbon emissions and is a major way you can act on the climate emergency. It also brings many other benefits:
- saving money on energy bills
- a warmer and more comfortable home to live in
- reducing air pollution (through removing gas boilers).
The most common external retrofit measures available:
- installation of solar panels
- air source heat pumps
- replacement double and triple glazed windows
- planning permission and insulation
- installation of green roofs.
Do I need planning permission?
Some retrofit alterations may require planning permission. This depends on the type of property (flat or house), the details of the proposals and site location.
Some homes in H&F are protected by their architectural or historical interest and any changes need to be considered very carefully. Planning permission may be required for homes that are:
- listed buildings
- in a conservation area
- Article 4 properties (this protects buildings from unsuitable alterations which could normally be done without planning permission).
Generally, internal changes will not require consent, unless the proposals relate to a listed building. Typically, external measures such as solar panels, air-source heat pumps and double and triple glazed windows will only require planning permission if certain criteria are not met.
See Climate Change Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) - A new planning guide to help ensure new homes and developments are more friendly to the environment.
Free duty planning advice is available for residents interested in retrofitting their home for reducing carbon emissions. Please contact planning@lbhf.gov.uk.
Whether or not you need planning permission, you may still need building regulations consent. For more information contact building control on 020 8753 3387.
Properties in conservation areas
Conservation areas are areas of special architectural or historical interest.
If your home is in a conservation area, it is likely you will need planning permission for retrofit measures. Any changes will need to ensure they don't detract from what is unique about the conservation area as a whole.
Find out if your property is in a conservation area and what is unique about each conservation area - Conservation areas.
Properties with Article 4 Directions
Article 4 directions are designed to protect buildings from unsuitable alterations which could otherwise be done without planning permission.
If Article 4 applies to your home, it is likely you will need planning permission for retrofit works.
Find out if Article 4 applies to your home here: Properties affected by Article 4 Directions.
Funding and grants
Some grants may be available and if you want to know more please see Improve your energy efficiency
Useful links
Energy Trust
Energy advice for your home - Energy Saving Trust
Net Zero Carbon Toolkit
Cotswold District Council has collaborated with West Oxfordshire District Council and Forest of Dean District Council to produce a Net Zero Carbon Toolkit.
Funded through the Local Government Association (LGA) Housing Advisers Programme, the guide has been produced by leading technical experts from Etude, the Passivhaus Trust, Levitt Bernstein and Elementa Consulting.
View a summary presentation on YouTube Net Zero Carbon Toolkit Webinar.