The decision, part of the UK Government’s wider Warm Homes Plan, has been welcomed by Swedish clean energy-tech company Aira, which has long campaigned to scrap what it called "unsustainable" red tape. The move is expected to benefit around 40% of households previously impacted by planning rules, which caused delays of up to six months for those wanting to upgrade their home heating systems.
The new rules, taking effect from 29 May, make it easier for people living in cities like Birmingham to switch from traditional gas boilers to low-carbon heat pumps — a key technology in the fight against climate change.
What’s Changing?
Key updates to planning rules for heat pump installations include:
- Scrapping the restriction that required pumps to be installed at least one metre from a property boundary.
- Allowing larger air source heat pumps (up to 1.5 cubic metres) under permitted development.
- Permitting two pumps for detached homes to support cascade systems.
- Extending permitted development rights to include air-to-air heat pumps, which can also provide cooling.
These changes mean most homeowners will no longer need to wait for local council approval before installing a heat pump — removing one of the biggest barriers to greener heating in densely populated areas.
Birmingham’s Clean Energy Boom
Aira commissioned a Freedom of Information study that revealed some Birmingham residents had to wait up to six months for planning permission, with the city’s council seeing a 450% surge in applications.
Daniel Sarefjord, UK CEO of Aira, said the policy change couldn’t come soon enough: “Up to half of all gas boiler replacements are urgent. You can’t expect people to wait two to six months without heating or hot water. This absurd delay was holding back thousands of people from making the switch to a cleaner and more affordable solution.”
With 25 million gas boilers still in UK homes and energy bills remaining high, many homeowners are turning to heat pumps. Aira says switching to its intelligent heat pump system and clean electricity tariff could save households up to £550 per year.
A Step Towards Net Zero
The UK Government has committed to installing 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028. Last year, around 100,000 units were installed — a record high, but still far short of the target.
Government subsidies like the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales are helping to fuel demand. Meanwhile, the industry is scaling up fast, with jobs and training opportunities emerging in the green skills sector.
Aira believes the removal of outdated planning policies is a game-changer: “This reform will help accelerate installations, reduce costs for consumers, and create thousands of new green jobs across the country,” Sarefjord added.