Has anyone actually gotten planning permission for AC?

7 replies

whenwillitbespring · 15/06/2023 11:30

Just that technically where I live (in Zone 2 London) you need planning permission for AC with an outdoor unit. (Apparently it could be permitted development if they are for heat like a heat pump -- but not just for AC.)

I'm not willing to try my luck as I know my neighbors! But I haven't actually heard of anyone actually applying.

Thanks!

(Here's something I read about someone being forced to get planning after the fact. https://www.revk.uk/2018/07/air-conditioning-at-home-planning.html)

Air conditioning at home (planning permission!)

For many years I used a small stand-alone air-conditioning unit in my study (the box room in the house) and I even had a hole in the wall fo...

https://www.revk.uk/2018/07/air-conditioning-at-home-planning.html

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Original poster

whenwillitbespring · 15/06/2023 11:31

Sorry, I forgot dashes come out as cross-outs on mumsnet.

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ComtesseDeSpair · 15/06/2023 11:40

They’ll be mostly concerned with the visible exhaust unit and noise complaints. It will cost more to have a longer exhaust run, but if you have it low to the ground on the rear or side elevation of your property, as far away as you can get it from your neighbour’s windows, and stating the product data which lists noise output, they’re likely to grant it.

maryso · 15/06/2023 11:41

Commercial buildings especially the listed ones will have applied for and been granted planning permission. So plenty of precedent for this even for listed buildings, so any reasonable application is likely to be granted.

ComtesseDeSpair · 15/06/2023 11:41

We submitted our plans as such, and Lewisham told us ours was permitted development. From your link it turns out they apparently weren’t aware of their own rules on PD, but we have the written confirmation so glad we bothered to submit plans in the first place!

tenbob · 15/06/2023 11:43

A house on our street applied for it as part of an extension and it was rejected but I’m not sure if it was the AC or the extension that is the problem

When we got a quote last year, the installers said they usually just hide the units on the roof of a loft extension

We also heard of someone getting solar installed (no planning needed) and hiding some AC in with the solar plant and then screening it off

Original poster

whenwillitbespring · 15/06/2023 18:58

Thank you all! Maybe worth asking the Council and seeing if they actually know their own regulations? Would love to avoid PP!

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Gablexy · 15/08/2024 15:40

Curious to know your outcome here, @whenwillitbespring? In a similar predicament!

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