In most cases, no. Air source heat pumps are generally classified as permitted development in Scotland, which means no planning application is needed.
Conditions for permitted development:
- The unit must comply with the MCS 020 planning standard for noise
- Only one air source heat pump is permitted per property under permitted development
- The unit must not be installed on a wall that fronts a road
- Certain distance requirements from property boundaries must be met
- The property must not be a listed building
- In conservation areas, the unit must not be visible from the front
When planning permission IS needed:
- Listed buildings
- Properties in conservation areas where the unit would be visible from a public area
- If you want to install a second heat pump on the same property
- If the unit does not meet the noise or positioning criteria for permitted development
We assess all of this during our home survey and will advise you clearly. In the vast majority of installations, no planning application is required.
