New planning rules give homeowners more flexibility to install solar panels .
The government is changing permitted development rights to make it easier for homeowners in England to install solar panels without applying for planning permission.New changes have been made through an amendment to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 and will come into effect on 27 August 2026.Under the new rules, the maximum projection for solar equipment installed on a wall, balcony or roof enclosure will increase from 0.2 metres to 0.4 metres. The existing 0.2-metre limit will remain for installations next to highways and on pitched roofs.For standalone solar equipment, the current limit of one installation within the curtilage of an individual house will also be removed, allowing homeowners to install more than one where the other permitted development conditions are met. The existing five-metre restriction from the property boundary will also be removed, although some installations in protected areas will still require prior approval.The changes will also introduce permitted development rights for plug-in solar panels, which are small photovoltaic systems that connect to a home’s electricity supply through a standard plug and socket. Restrictions will apply to installations on wooden fences, gates, walls and other means of enclosure to reduce the risk of fire spreading.Some additional planning controls will remain in place for properties in protected areas. For example, certain standalone solar equipment installed within five metres of a property boundary in designated areas may require prior approval from the local planning authority.The government says the changes are intended to support the generation of clean, homegrown power and give households more choice over how solar technology is installed.Solar equipment that would not qualify under the new permitted development rules can still be installed under the existing rules until 26 August 2027.SOURCE: https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/weekly-planning-news/planning-news-13-august-2026?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9e7l7xon-taA7ne-Q3tgKkaGNQx76L8MNnLAzl4xsqFlfQhfMXMLmK_txFSc1Gy-3Eky04v1GW5YWMbdVAzpbMP8DHvw&_hsmi=144938243&utm_content=144938243&utm_source=hs_email#new-planning-rules-give-homeowners-more-flexibility-to-install-solar-panels
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