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ROOFTOP REVOLUTION

Selina Suzuki, Small Projects Specialist at Cogeo

image of farm barn using solar panels

Cogeo’s Small Projects Specialist, Selina Suzuki, looks at the recent changes to roof-mounted solar permitted development rights both sides of the border and asks; what do you need to know?

At a Glance

There is no maximum array size that requires planning permission
You need Prior Approval (a type of Permitted Development) before you install
Allow up to a maximum of 56 days to complete Prior Approval
Listed Buildings and buildings within their grounds and Scheduled Monuments still require Planning Permission
Compliance with certain design criteria need to be complied with to allow Prior Approval to be granted

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No maximum system size

The UK and Scottish Governments have acted to increase the speed and scale of roof-top solar deployment. The previous 50 kW (Scotland) and 1 MW (England) thresholds for requiring planning permission have been removed. The 50 kW threshold remains in Wales.

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Prior Approval

For a roof-mounted solar to be installed without planning permission, Prior Approval is required. There are three potential outcomes:
The Local Authority confirm Prior Approval is not required
The Local Authority grant Prior Approval
After 56 days (excluding Public Holidays) approval is deemed to have been granted
If the Local Authority refuses Prior Approval, Planning Permission is required.

APPROVAL

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Planning Permission

If the solar is proposed on a Listed Building (or a building within the grounds of a Listed Building) then permitted development rules do not apply. Listed Building consent AND planning permission is required for any size of array. Ancient Monuments have similar restrictions. Planning permission and Listed Building consent have a statutory timescale of 8 weeks.

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DESIGN

For your system design to be exempt from planning permission, the panels MUST NOT

IN ENGLAND:

Be closer than 1m to the edge of the roof
Be more than 1m high on a flat roof
Be more than 20cm high on a pitched roof
Be installed on a Scheduled Monument
Be installed on a Listed Building

IN SCOTLAND:

Be more than 1m high on any roof
Be installed on a Listed Building
Be within a National Park
Be within a National Scenic Area
Be within a World Heritage Site
Be within a Historic Garden or Designed Landscape

Need Prior Approval? No Problem?

To support your prior approval application, we’ll need these details from you:
A site plan
PV System design report
Panel specifications
Mounting system
Landowner name and address
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FAQs

ROOF-MOUNTED SOLAR PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT

Do I need Prior Approval in Scotland?
No. In Scotland you don’t need Prior Approval or Planning Permission if you comply with the requirements for design and location. You can choose to get a Certificate of Lawfulness which confirms the array doesn’t need permission at the time of installation. This can be very beneficial if there are any leases or the building is sold. The Certificate of Lawfulness process has a statutory timescale of 8 weeks.
Can I install in England without Prior Approval?

This would be classed as an illegal development and can be subject to enforcement action. However, Prior Approval is limited to non-domestic installations.

How long does the process take?

Our Team will inform you of our timescales, but the maximum time you’ll need to wait for an answer is 56 days (excluding public holidays). Most Prior Approvals are determined before the 56 day deadline.

What about Glint & Glare?

This is an interesting topic. Glint & Glare assessments have been required as part of a number of Prior Approval applications. In Scotland, if you are within 3km of an Airport you should expect to be requested to complete a Glint & Glare assessment as part of the required planning application. Our Team can support you with full Glint & Glare services for both roof-mounted and ground-mounted solar.

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