Amendments have been made to permitted development rights for domestic heat pumps, according to the Department of Infrastructure.

The changes will come into effect from Tuesday 04 July 2023 and follow a public consultation in late 2022.

Planning plays a crucial role in facilitating the uptake of renewable and low carbon energy technologies and these amendments will help address climate change and protect the environment by encouraging the use of low carbon heat technologies, whilst ensuring the provision of such infrastructure is sited and designed to keep environmental and amenity impacts to a minimum.

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The relaxation to the permitted development rights will now make it easier for energy consumers and providers to utilise renewable energy technologies, such as air source heat pumps, without the need for planning permission, subject to certain conditions and limitations. This will help reduce the reliance of individual properties on fossil fuel heat and power sources and positively address issues such as energy decarbonisation and fuel poverty.