Planning Permission Eased: What It Means for Heat Pump Installation in Worksop and Beyond

Big news for households across England: the government has officially scrapped the need for planning permission to install heat pumps within one metre of a neighbour’s property. This is a huge step forward—especially for residents of terraced homes—and a win for anyone looking to upgrade to more energy-efficient heating.

At Wright Renewables, based right here in Worksop and serving South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, we’re celebrating this shift in policy as a victory for common sense and climate action.

“We’ve been banging the drum on this for a while,” says Lee Rolfe, Managing Director at Wright Renewables. “The planning restrictions were outdated and caused a lot of unnecessary delays for perfectly good installations. This change makes it easier for us to help more homeowners reduce their bills and their carbon footprint.”

For many households, heat pumps—especially Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs)—offer a cleaner, smarter way to heat homes. Rather than burning gas, ASHPs absorb ambient heat from the air and use it to provide heating and hot water. It’s efficient, reliable, and increasingly affordable thanks to government grants and initiatives like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

But up until now, installations in many areas were slowed or even blocked by the one-metre planning rule—particularly frustrating in cities or rows of terraces where space is tight.

“We’ve had customers in Sheffield and Mansfield where the only reason a job was delayed was because of this one-metre rule,” says Lee. “It was time-consuming and costly, both for us and the homeowner.”

This rule change removes a major barrier. Now, more homeowners can move forward with installing heat pumps without waiting for local council approval—cutting lead times and removing a layer of red tape.

According to industry estimates, this rule had affected up to 27% of potential customers for some providers. At Wright Renewables, we’ve certainly seen our fair share of impacted installations. The change is expected to drive demand further as more people become aware of the benefits and availability of renewable heating solutions.

Of course, planning permission is just one piece of the puzzle. While this change is welcome, the government still faces calls to improve awareness, reform energy performance certificates, and provide stronger upfront funding options.

At Wright Renewables, we’re already ahead of the curve. As an OVO Approved Installer, we’re part of a select national group committed to delivering renewable energy the right way—no sub-contractors, no compromise, just expert service and local know-how.

Whether you're in Worksop, Retford, Doncaster or beyond, our team is here to help. From expert guidance on solar panel installations to the full supply, installation and servicing of heat pumps, we’re here to deliver sustainable solutions—on time, on budget, and built to last.

“If you’ve been holding off on upgrading your heating, now’s the time to act,” Lee adds. “The barriers are coming down—and we’re ready to help you make the switch.”

Want to see if your property is suitable for a heat pump or solar PV system? Get in touch with our team today for a friendly, no-pressure consultation.

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