Should planning permission be required for gas boilers? This renewable energy expert thinks so

A renewable energy expert has prompted debate after suggesting gas boilers should require planning permission.

Robert J Whitney, Director for Fornax Energy and a Heat Pump system designer, posted on his X account (@robertjwhitneyTechnical): "What if planning permission was needed to fit a gas boiler and could only be granted by exception if a heat pump was demonstrated to be unsuitable Discuss!"

Mr Whitney received a wide variety of responses with some supporting the idea and others infuriated by the suggestion.

'You need to get planning permission for a heat pump so why not a boiler'

In response to Mr Whitney's post a number of replies were in support of the proposal to require planning permission for boilers.

One stated: "I think it's a great idea, particularly in conservation areas. There is nothing traditional about a gas boiler. And many would fail the noise tests that heat pumps must pass."

Another claimed: "It should be illegal for a boiler of any sort to have its flue vent into public space. There's one near me that vents right onto the kids queued up before school."

Another account said it was an "interesting idea" but claimed it could cause "a whole industry of profiteering middle men suddenly springing up", to which Mr Whitney replied: "The planning could be part of a heating system survey and design - by heating engineers."

Mr Whitney concluded his argument by saying, "You need to get planning permission for a heat pump so why not a boiler" although this is not the case for all heat pump installations.

Some say it would be 'unfair to the general public'

The post also received criticism with some saying it would place further constraints on homeowners during a heating crisis.

One critic of the idea said it "would be impossible to enforce and unfair to the general public" and another added "No, let people freely choose the type of boiler they want".

One responder simply said "Planning permission to keep warm?", prompting Mr Whitney to reply "Planning permission to emit toxic exhaust".

Could planning permission for boilers be introduced in the UK?

Planning permission for gas boilers is sometimes required, but only in rare circumstances such as with listed properties and conservation areas.

If a flue needs to be installed outside, it typically qualifies as permitted development as long as it doesn’t extend more than one meter above the roof’s highest point.

There are no current plans to expand these, although gas boilers will be banned in new properties with the Future Homes Standard set to come into effect in 2025 and in all properties from 2035. This will also include banning oil boilers. As a result, boilers will be outright banned for all properties by 2035.

However, the debate goes on as to whether permission should be required before 2035 for homeowners to install boilers.