Planning

Camden Council is in the process of updating their planning guidance for retrofit. We hope that this will be available shortly.

Permitted development rights for photovoltaic solar panels:

You are allowed to put photovoltaic solar panels on your roof, if you follow certain conditions, eg. it is installed in a neat and tidy arrangement). This applies to conservation areas as well: if a roof that receives enough sunlight for solar panels is facing a street, you are permitted to put solar panels on it.

There have previously been three conservation areas in Camden where permitted development rights for solar panels have been removed (through what is called an Article 4 Direction): Hampstead, South Hampstead and Belsize conservation areas. The Council is in the process of removing these Article 4 Directions, so that solar panels will be permitted development in these areas also. This is expected to come into force in June 2026.

Permitted development rights for heat pumps:

The installation of a ground source heat pump or a water source heat pump on domestic premises is usually considered to be permitted development, not needing an application for planning permission.

If you live in a listed building or a conservation area you should check with Camden Council’s planning department, by contacting planning@camden.gov.uk.

London Councils have produced London Retrofit Heritage Homes Guide to help boroughs support sensitive, low-carbon upgrades that preserve the city’s historic architectural heritage. This is meant for planners and is quite detailed, but is helpful for reference to planning policy.