Government’s Warm Homes Plan 2025

The Warm Homes Plan is a UK government initiative to improve energy efficiency, reduce heating costs, and promote cleaner energy. The plan includes changes to planning permission rules for air source heat pumps which will take effect in 2025.

The two following changes will come into effect:

1. Removing the 1m boundary rule – this will allow heat pumps to be installed within 1m of the property boundary. 
2. Increase the size limit – the size limit for dwelling houses will increase from 0.6m3
to 1.5m3.

In addition, the government already offer the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which means that homeowners who are moving away from fossil fuel heating and installing an air or ground source heat pump will benefit from the £7500 grant to help towards the cost of a heat pump installation, if it is completed by an MCS approved installer.

ASHPs are already considered permitted developments in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, which means that planning permission is not usually required. There are some situations where planning is still required, if you are installing more than one heat pump, planning permission is required.

These changes under the governments Warm Homes Plan 2025 means it is a step forward for simplifying the installation process for many homes, especially those with smaller gardens or less outdoor space.

You can find out more about the Warm Homes Plan