This website makes extensive use of JavaScript. For a richer experience please enable JavaScript in your browser.

High contrast version - your agreement to receive cookies is required

To view a high contrast version of our website we will need to give your computer two cookies. These are functional cookies - they do not collect any of your personal data, but simply remember that you agree to receiving the colour scheme cookies and that you want this website to have a high contrast colour scheme.

If you would like to turn on the high contrast function and receive the cookies, click on the 'accept' button. You will be able to delete the cookies at any time from your machine. If you do not want these cookies or no longer want the site to appear in high contrast colours, click the 'cancel' button. If you do not accept the cookie this function will not work.

We are asking your permission to place these cookies on your machine as part of the European e-Privacy Directive which applies to all sites in the UK. You can find out more about the Directive, the cookies we use on our website and how you can control cookies at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/privacypolicy.htm#cookies.

Resizing the text size - your agreement to receive cookies is required

To change the size of the text on our website we will need to give your computer two cookies. These are functional cookies. One remembers that you have agreed to receiving the text size cookie while the other one remembers what size of text you have chosen to view the site with. Neither of the cookies collect any of your personal data.

If you would like to change the text size and receive the cookies, click on the 'accept' button. You will be able to delete the cookies at any time from your machine. If you do not want the cookies or no longer want the site to appear with different sized text, click the 'cancel' button. If you do not accept the cookies this function will not work.

Home >
Planning >
Planning applications >
Renewable energy >
Planning permission for renewable technologies

Planning permission for renewable technologies

Guidance is given below, but we would always recommend you contact the Planning Department to clarify whether or not planning permission is required.

Solar water heating and photovoltaic panels

1. Panels installed on a dwellinghouse or buildings within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse:

Planning permission is not normally required for solar panels provided they do not project more than 200mm above the roof plane and do not protrude above the highest part of the roof (excluding any chimney). If your property is in a conservation area, planning permission will be required if the panels are to be installed on a wall of a building that is visible from any highway. Panels can however be installed on a roofslope of a building in a conservation area without planning permission, even if they are visible from a highway. If a proposal affects a listed building, listed building consent will be required for solar panels installed directly on a listed building, and planning permission will be required for solar panels installed on a detached building within the curtilage of a listed building. In all instances, solar panels should be sited so that they cause minimal harm to the character and appearance of the property and the wider locality. A solar panel sited at the rear, or side of the property is often the best approach. Where a proposal concerns a listed building, the Authority will need to be satisfied that the panels would not be detrimental to the character or appearance of the listed building or its setting. Our Making a planning application page outlines the application process.

2. Stand alone solar installation within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse:

Planning permission will not normally be required if there is only one installation within the curtilage, it does not exceed 4 metres in height, does not come within 5 metres of any of the property’s boundaries and does not have a surface area of more than 9 square metres or measure more than 3 metres in any one dimension. If your property is in a conservation area, it must also not be visible form any highway. Finally, stand alone installations are not permitted development if they are within the curtilage of a listed building. In all instances, solar panels should be sited so that they cause minimal harm to the character and appearance of the property and the wider locality.

Wind turbines

Planning permission is usually required for all wind turbines, whether they are attached to a building or freestanding. The government is currently considering legislation to relax this restriction.

Wood fuelled boilers and stoves

The installation on a dwellinghouse of a flue forming part of a biomass heating system or a combined heat and power system will not normally require planning permission provided it does not exceed the highest part of the roof by one metre or more. If however your property is within a conservation area and the flue is on a wall or roof slope that is visible from a highway, planning permission will be required. Wherever a boiler, stove or flue affects the fabric of a listed building, listed building consent will be required. Planning permission may also be required for the construction of any new building to house the boiler or stove itself, or the storage of the fuel. Our Making a planning application page outlines the application process.

Ground source heat or water pumps

A ground-source heat or water pump installed within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse is usually classed as permitted development. Elsewhere they may require planning permission as an engineering operation or if they materially affect the external appearance of a building. Listed building consent could also be required. Our Making a planning application page outlines the application process.

Hydro-electric turbines

Planning permission is required for the majority of hydro-electric installations as most involve erection of new structures. Our Making a planning application page outlines the application process.