Planning requirements, Install Process and Project Timescales
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Planning requirements
The following sets out our understanding of the current planning guidelines, as set out on the Government's Planning Portal.
However we advise all customers to take their own advice on planning as every local authority has their own way of interpreting the guidelines. We can prepare and submit planning applications on your behalf, or supply drawings if you want to do the application yourself.
Domestic Installations (Installations on Private Dwellings)
The installation of solar thermal collectors on a roof or wall of a private house is considered to be "permitted development" (i.e. doesn't require planning permission) provided that:
- Units do not protrude more than 200mm from the roof or wall surface. In Scotland, the units must be situated 1000mm from edge of the roof and must not break the roofline.
- Your roof structure is able to take the additional weight. (We will always undertake a structural report prior to installation to make sure this is the case).
- If your property is a listed building, the installation is likely to require an application for listed building consent, even where planning permission is not needed. We recommend you check all installations with the local planning office.
- Wall mounted - if your property is in a conservation area, or in a World Heritage Site, planning consent is required when collectors are to be fitted on the principal or side elevation walls or roof and they would be visible from the road. If collectors are to be fitted to a building in your garden or grounds they should not be visible from the highway. To be safe we recommend you check all installations with the local planning office.
- Ground mounted systems are fairly unusual for solar thermal and will generally need planning permission unless the array is less than 9 mē. Even then you should check. The portal implies that 'standalone' systems don't need permission as long as they comply with these very restrictive guidelines:
- No higher than four metres
- At least 5m from boundaries
- Size of array is limited to 9 mē or 3m wide and 3m deep
- Should not be installed within boundary of a listed building
- In the case of land in a conservation area or in a World Heritage Site it should not be visible from the highway
- Only one standalone solar installation is permitted
Non-domestic installations
It is our understanding that all non-domestic installations require planning permission, since the permitted development rights apply only to installations on private dwellings.
Conclusion
- Collectors mounted on sloping roofs of private dwellings don't need planning permission.
- Collectors mounted on flat roofs of private dwellings do require planning permission.
- Collectors mounted on a listed building may require an application for listed building consent. Check with your planning office.
- Collectors on houses within a conservation area don't usually require planning (unless on a wall visible from the public highway), but it's worth a phone call to check.
- Collectors intended for commercial projects will need planning permission.
Project Timescales
Allow 4-6 weeks between placing an order and completion of the installation. If the project requires planning permission, between 12-14 weeks will be necessary.
- Planning permission (allow 10 - 11 weeks) If planning permission is required we will usually spend two weeks compiling the application, after which there is usually an eight week wait for the planning department to determine the outcome of the application.
- Structural report (allow 1 - 2 weeks) The final hurdle to overcome for roof mounted installations is the structural report, to confirm that the roof can take the additional loads imposed by the units. Additional strengthening work may be required as a result of this report. As long as the work is not major, it can take place at the same time as the solar thermal installation.
We will usually apply for planning permission and prepare a structural report concurrently, so that if all goes well, all of these hurdles can be overcome in 10 to 12 weeks. We are then free to proceed with the installation, which typically takes place 4 to 6 weeks after the planning decision. If the project doesn't need planning permission, the only delay to installation is the structural report and availability of our installers. In these situations we would hope to install within 4 to 6 weeks of the contract and deposit being returned to us. The length of installation itself will depend on the size of project. Small residential projects which require six collectors or less can usually be installed within 2 days. There is almost no upper limit on non-residential project timescales. It will depend on the number of collectors being installed, the complexity of any additional plumbing and the scale of the property concerned. If the installation will need to take place concurrently with other construction, we can liaise with your developers and arrange it at your convenience.
At the request of the client, in the event the planning application fails, we may delay preparing the structural report until the planning application is determined. This typically adds an additional month to the proceedings, giving a complete timeframe of five months.
The Install Process: Managing your Installation
Once you have booked an installation the process runs as follows:
- If you haven't already had a technical survey, we will book a survey on a day that is convenient for you. One of our installers will travel to your property and carry out a full technical assessment.
- We will appoint a dedicated project manager to manage all aspects of your installation. Your project manager will be your personal point of contact at Spirit Solar, and you will be able to speak to them whenever you need to, before, during and after the installation.
- The first stage will be to use the information gathered on the technical visit to produce a structural report for your proposed project. We will provide you with the findings of our structural engineer and explain if any minor strengthening work is required and why.
- If the installation requires planning permission and you have asked us to help with this, our planning department will contact you and will gather the necessary information to submit a planning application.
- We usually install within 4 - 6 weeks of planning permission being received or the date on which you sign the installation contract in cases when planning permission is not required. This can be arranged more quickly, depending on your preference and the availability of our installers.
- If your project requires scaffolding, we will arrange for scaffolding to be put up before the installation begins. During the installation our contractors will be on site from about 9:00am to 5:00pm. A typical installation will take two days.
- At the end of the installation our lead installer will fully test and commission the system. We will invite you to inspect all aspects of the work carried out. Our installers will be able to provide a detailed explanation of what each component does and how to operate and control your new system.
- You will receive a full handover pack with instructions on how to oversee the system and all the information needed to claim any relevant tariff payments.
- Finally, once you are totally satisfied with your new system, we will send you an invoice for the final balance. (We take a 25% deposit upfront, with the balance due within 7 days of completion.)