What Was the 1 Metre Planning Rule and Why Did It Matter?Who Benefits from the Rule Change?How the New Rules Speed Up Air Source Heat Pump InstallsWill This Change Reduce Costs?Are There Still Any Restrictions for Air Source Heat Pumps?What About Noise and Other Neighbour Concerns?Remaining Barriers - Cost and Older PropertiesInstalling an Air Source Heat Pump with Glow GreenRelated Links
What Was the 1 Metre Planning Rule and Why Did It Matter?Who Benefits from the Rule Change?How the New Rules Speed Up Air Source Heat Pump InstallsWill This Change Reduce Costs?Are There Still Any Restrictions for Air Source Heat Pumps?What About Noise and Other Neighbour Concerns?Remaining Barriers - Cost and Older PropertiesInstalling an Air Source Heat Pump with Glow GreenRelated Links
It's now become a lot easier to install an air source heat pump in your home. The government has recently scrapped the planning rule that required your heat pump to be installed at least one metre away from your neighbour’s property. For many homeowners, especially those living in terraced or semi-detached houses where space is tight, this rule made it difficult or even impossible to make the move to low-carbon heating.
Now, with this restriction lifted, you no longer need to worry about complicated planning permission or lengthy council approvals just because your property is close to your neighbour’s. This change is designed to make it much simpler and quicker for you to install an air source heat pump, helping more people benefit from lower energy bills and a greener way to heat their homes.
Curious about the cost of an air source heat pump for your home? Simply complete the form below to receive a free, no-obligation quote:
The 1 metre planning rule meant that if you wanted to install an air source heat pump, you had to make sure it was at least one metre away from your property boundary or your neighbour’s home. This rule was originally put in place to help reduce noise concerns for people living nearby, but for many homeowners, especially those who live in a terraced house or have a small garden, it made fitting a heat pump difficult or even impossible. If you couldn’t meet the distance requirement, you had to apply for planning permission, which could take months and add extra hassle and cost.
Now, as part of the government’s Warm Homes Plan to make homes more energy efficient and lower heating bills, this rule has been scrapped. From 29 May 2025, you can install an air source heat pump right up to your property line without needing special permission, making it much easier for you and many others to make the switch.
With the 1 metre planning rule now scrapped, a wide range of people stand to benefit from this change. If you’ve struggled to find space for an air source heat pump because your home is close to your neighbour’s, this update makes installation much easier. Here’s who gains the most from the rule change:
Homeowners in terraced or semi-detached houses where space is limited and it was nearly impossible to meet the old distance requirement.
People living in cities where properties are often built close together.
Anyone hoping to cut their energy bills and carbon footprint by switching to an air source heat pump.
Homeowners who want a quicker, less complicated installation process without waiting for planning permission.
Those interested in taking advantage of government grants and incentives, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, for heat pump installations.
Heat pump installers, such as Glow Green, who will now find it easier to serve more customers and complete installations faster, without delays caused by planning permission requirements.
If you’re now seriously thinking about installing a heat pump, check out our 2025 guide to the best air source heat pumps on the market to help you find the right option.
With the new rules in place from 29 May 2025, you’ll find that installing an air source heat pump is now much quicker and less stressful. Before, the planning permission process could take months and often led to delays or even cancelled installations. Now, you can go ahead with your installation right up to your property line without waiting for council approval, which means less paperwork and no long hold-ups.
This change is especially helpful if you live in a terraced house or an area where homes are close together, as you no longer have to worry about meeting strict distance requirements.
For Glow Green, these new rules mean we can get started on your project much sooner and complete the work faster, without being held up by planning delays. It also helps that you can quickly get a personalised, no-obligation air source heat pump quote from us, tailored specifically to your home.
As you probably already know, installing an air source heat pump can be expensive (though it’s worth remembering that you can get a £7,500 government grant to help with the upfront cost). While scrapping the 1 metre planning rule won’t directly lower the price of the heat pump itself, it does remove some extra costs and delays that used to come with planning permission.
For example, according to Octopus Energy, simply submitting a planning permission application could set you back around £347 - and that’s just for the application itself, not including any extra fees or costs that often come with the planning process.
Therefore, you’ll save money on application fees and avoid waiting weeks or even months for approval, which can sometimes mean paying more for temporary heating or last-minute solutions.
Even though the new rules have made it much easier to install an air source heat pump, you still need to follow some other guidelines to make sure your installation is allowed without planning permission. These include:
Your home must not be a listed building or located in a conservation area.
The maximum size for each air source heat pump is now 1.5m³.
If you live in a detached house, you can install up to two heat pumps under permitted development, other property types are limited to one.
Your heat pump must meet updated noise standards (MCS 020), so it can’t be too loud for you or your neighbours.
The installation must be for heating or a combination of heating and cooling (purely cooling-only systems don’t qualify).
Flats still have a smaller size limit for heat pumps (0.6m³).
We recommend that you carefully review all the limits and conditions that must be met for an air source heat pump to qualify as permitted development on the Planning Portal. This will help you make sure your installation goes smoothly and avoids any unexpected issues.
Even though the 1 metre rule has been scrapped, there are still strict rules you need to follow when it comes to noise from air source heat pumps. Your heat pump must meet specific noise standards (called MCS 020) which limit how loud it can be to make sure it doesn’t disturb your neighbours.
These regulations are in place to protect everyone’s peace and quiet, no matter how close your homes are. Also, many modern heat pumps are designed to run much more quietly than older models, making it easier to meet these requirements. However, we still recommend talking to your neighbours before installation, just to keep everyone informed and avoid any surprises.
MCS 020 is a technical standard that sets out the noise limits and assessment procedures for air source heat pumps installed in domestic properties. Its main purpose is to make sure that heat pumps do not create excessive noise that could disturb you or your neighbours.
Under the updated MCS 020 (a) standard, the maximum allowed noise level at the property boundary is 37 dB(A), regardless of whether the installation is in a rural or urban area. The standard also provides clear guidance on how to measure noise, what counts as a solid barrier or reflective surface, and how to assess installations with up to two heat pumps.
Meeting MCS 020 is required for your installation to be considered permitted development, so it’s an important part of making sure your heat pump is both compliant and neighbour-friendly.
The UK government is making a big push for heat pump installations as part of the Warm Homes Plan - a major initiative to improve energy efficiency, cut heating costs and promote cleaner energy in homes across the country.
Scrapping the 1 metre planning rule is just one way the government is making it easier for you to switch to an air source heat pump, alongside offering generous grants and streamlining the installation process.
However, while these changes remove some big hurdles, there are still a few barriers you might face, especially when it comes to cost and installing heat pumps in older properties:
As you probably already know, installing an air source heat pump is a big investment. Depending on your home and the type of system you choose, the total supply and installation cost could range from £3,000 to £10,000.
It's also important to remember that extra expenses like upgrading your radiators or insulation are sometimes needed for your home to work efficiently with a heat pump and should be taken into account when planning for a heat pump.
While this is more expensive than a new gas or oil boiler, you can get a £7,500 government grant through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which can bring your out-of-pocket cost down significantly. By requesting a heat pump quote with Glow Green, you'll be connected with one of our heating engineers to discuss costs and address any concerns you may have.
If you live in an older property, there are a few extra challenges to consider. Older homes often have less insulation, smaller radiators or outdated pipework, which means you might need to invest in upgrades before your new heat pump will work properly.
These improvements, like adding insulation or replacing radiators, can increase the overall cost and make the installation process a bit more complicated.
Also, if your home is listed or in a conservation area, you may still face planning restrictions or need extra permissions. So, while scrapping the 1 metre rule has made things easier for many homeowners, older properties may still face higher costs and a few more hurdles.
Now that installing an air source heat pump is easier than ever, we’re excited to be your partner on your heat pump journey.
We’re also proud to share that The Independent has ranked Glow Green as the number one solar panel installer in the UK in 2025, and we bring that same expertise and dedication to every heat pump project.
Here’s how our process works:
1. Complete a Simple Form:Just fill out our quick online eligibility form with some basic information about your home and needs.
2. We Design Your System:If you’re happy with our quote, one of our experienced heat pump engineers will design a system tailored specifically for your property.
3. Installed by an Expert:We’ll arrange for one of our local heat pump engineers to carry out the installation at a time that suits you best.
We proudly install the Vaillant AroTherm Plus Heat Pump, available in a range of sizes to suit every home and heating requirement.
