UK Solar Regulations · GPDO Part 14 Class A
Do you need planning permission for solar panels in the UK?
For the vast majority of pitched-roof homes in Birmingham, Solihull and across England, domestic solar panels do not need a planning application because they fall under Permitted Development. However, strict conditions apply to roof projection, listed buildings, conservation areas and Article 4 directions.
Important note: This guide is general information for homeowners and businesses, not formal legal or planning advice. Always check with your local planning authority if your property is listed, in a conservation area or subject to an Article 4 direction.
Permitted Development rights in England (Schedule 2, Part 14, Class A)
In England, domestic solar PV equipment mounted on a house or a block of flats is governed by Schedule 2, Part 14, Class A of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.
Under Class A, you do not need to apply for planning permission provided your installation meets these core conditions:
- Maximum 200mm projection: Solar panels and mounting frames on a pitched roof or wall must not protrude more than 200mm (20cm) beyond the plane of the wall or the roof slope when measured perpendicular to the external surface.
- Below the ridge line: No part of the solar PV equipment can sit higher than the highest part of the roof, excluding any chimney.
- Flat roof height limit: On a flat roof, the highest part of the solar PV equipment must not be more than 600mm above the highest part of the flat roof (excluding any chimney).
- Siting and visual impact: Equipment must, so far as practicable, be sited to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area.
- Removal when no longer needed: Solar PV equipment that is no longer needed for microgeneration must be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.
Official UK planning resources
You can read the primary legislation and official government guidance directly at these links:
- Planning Portal - Solar panels common projects guidance
- UK Legislation - GPDO 2015 Schedule 2 Part 14 (Renewable energy)
- MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) standards
Installing in the West Midlands? See our local guides for Birmingham and Solihull.
Exceptions: when planning permission or listed building consent applies
Permitted Development is not automatic for every building. Below are the key exceptions across Birmingham, Solihull, Warwickshire and the wider UK.
| Property or array type | Planning rule in England | West Midlands practical notes |
|---|---|---|
| Listed buildings (Grade I, II* or II) | Permitted Development does not apply on a listed building or any building within its curtilage. Listed Building Consent (and usually planning permission) is required. | Rear roof slopes, hidden valleys or outbuildings are often more sympathetic than front elevations, but formal consent must be granted before work starts. |
| Conservation areas & World Heritage Sites | Pitched-roof panels can still be Permitted Development (subject to the 200mm rule), but wall-mounted panels on a wall fronting a highway are not permitted without planning consent. | Always check whether your conservation area also has an Article 4 direction or estate management scheme restricting front-facing roof alterations. |
| Article 4 direction areas | A council can issue an Article 4 direction removing specific Permitted Development rights on designated streets or conservation areas. | Examples in our region include parts of the Bournville Village Trust area in Birmingham and specific conservation areas in Solihull, Knowle, Dorridge, Edgbaston and Moseley. |
| Flat roofs | Permitted Development allows flat-roof frames up to 600mm above the highest part of the flat roof (excluding chimneys), subject to conservation area highway rules. | A structural and wind-uplift assessment is critical on flat roofs to confirm whether ballast or mechanical fixings are suitable for the roof deck. |
| Ground-mounted arrays & commercial solar car ports | Domestic standalone arrays (Class B) are restricted to 9 m² area, 4 m height and 5 m boundary distance. Commercial rooftop/canopy schemes fall under Class J or full planning. | For workplace car parks, see our modular solar car ports page and commercial solar Birmingham guide. |
MCS certification does not replace planning permission
Homeowners sometimes assume that hiring an MCS-certified solar installer (NIC-1542) automatically covers planning permission. It is important to separate the three different approvals involved in a UK solar installation:
- 1. Planning permission / Permitted Development: Administered by your local council (such as Birmingham City Council or Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council). Governs external visual changes to the building, listed status and conservation rules.
- 2. Building Regulations (Part P & structure): Covers electrical safety (BS 7671) and structural roof loading. As an NICEIC / MCS registered contractor, we self-certify notifiable domestic electrical work under Part P and check your roof timbers during survey.
- 3. MCS & DNO connection (G98 / G99): Covers renewable performance standards, Smart Export Guarantee eligibility and notification to National Grid Electricity Distribution.
What we check at survey
When you book a free technical survey with Solar City after using our instant design tool, our surveyor checks the practical details that keep your installation within Permitted Development and Building Regulations:
- Confirming the rail and panel stack projects less than 200mm from your roof tiles or slates
- Setting the array cleanly below the ridge tiles and stepping back from roof edges and valleys for wind-uplift compliance
- Inspecting loft rafters, trussed roofs, felt/membrane condition and tile type (or discussing in-roof trays if you are re-roofing)
- Flagging if your postcode sits inside a known conservation area, listed curtilage or estate covenant so you can obtain council or trust confirmation before work starts
Want to check system costs while you plan? Read our 2026 Birmingham solar panel cost guide or our battery storage guide.
Solar planning permission FAQs
Straight answers on Permitted Development, listed buildings, conservation areas and flat roofs.
Do most UK homes need planning permission for roof-mounted solar panels?
Do I need planning permission for solar panels on a listed building?
Can I fit solar panels in a Birmingham or Solihull conservation area?
Does MCS certification replace planning permission or Building Regulations?
What are the rules for solar panels on a flat roof in England?
Do standalone ground-mounted solar arrays or commercial solar car ports need planning permission?
Check how many panels fit your roof
Use our free instant design tool to map your roof below the ridge line, or call our Tyseley office on 0121 707 9991 to talk through your property.