Solar Planning Permission UK: The Complete Guide
Rooftop solar is permitted development. Ground-mount solar farms over 1MW need planning permission. Over 50MW requires a Development Consent Order. Here's how each route works.
Solar Planning Permission: Quick Answer
Rooftop solar panels on homes and commercial buildings are permitted development in the UK — no planning permission required. Ground-mounted solar farms over 1MW (approximately 6-8 acres) require planning permission from the local authority, taking 8-13 weeks for a decision. Solar farms over 50MW in England are Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) requiring a Development Consent Order (DCO) from the Planning Inspectorate, taking 12-18 months. Agricultural land classification is the most common factor in planning refusals — Grade 1 and 2 (Best and Most Versatile) land is strongly protected.
Do You Need Planning Permission for Solar?
Whether you need planning permission depends on the installation type, system size, and location. Here is a definitive breakdown for every scenario.
| Installation Type | Planning Required? | Process | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential rooftop solar | No | Permitted development | Install immediately |
| Commercial rooftop solar | No | Permitted development (Class J) | Install immediately |
| Ground-mount solar farm <1MW | Sometimes | May qualify as agricultural permitted development | Check with LPA |
| Solar farm 1-50MW | Yes | Local planning application | 8-13 weeks (often 6-12 months) |
| Solar farm >50MW (England) | Yes (NSIP) | Development Consent Order (DCO) | 12-18 months |
| Battery storage (BESS) | Yes | Local planning (<50MW) or DCO (>50MW) | 8-13 weeks / 12-18 months |
| EV chargers | Usually no | Permitted development (most cases) | Install immediately |
| Listed building (any solar) | Yes | Listed Building Consent required | 8-13 weeks |
What Is Permitted Development for Solar Panels?
Permitted development means you can install solar panels without applying for planning permission, provided the installation meets specific conditions. Most rooftop solar in the UK qualifies as permitted development under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order.
Residential (Class A, Part 14)
- Panels must not protrude more than 200mm from the roof surface
- Must not extend above the highest point of the roof (excluding chimney)
- Ground-mount panels in gardens: max 9m² area, 4m height
- Does NOT apply to listed buildings or scheduled monuments
Commercial (Class J, Part 14)
- No planning permission required regardless of system size
- Panels must not protrude more than 200mm from the roof surface
- Must be at least 1m from roof edge
- Does NOT apply in conservation areas with Article 4 Directions
Still Need Grid Connection Approval
Permitted development only covers planning permission. You still need G98 or G99 grid connection approval from your DNO before installing. Systems over 3.68kW per phase require a formal G99 application. See our G99 application guide for the full process.
How Does Solar Farm Planning Permission Work?
Solar farms between 1MW and 50MW apply for planning permission through the local planning authority under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The statutory determination period is 8-13 weeks, though most applications take 6-12 months with negotiations and extensions of time.
Pre-Application Consultation
1-3 monthsMeet the local planning authority (LPA) to discuss the proposal. Not mandatory but strongly recommended — identifies potential objections early. Typically costs £500-£2,000.
Environmental Assessments
2-6 monthsCommission required surveys: ecology (protected species, BNG), landscape and visual impact, heritage, flood risk, agricultural land classification, glint and glare, and traffic. EIA Screening may be required for larger sites.
Submit Planning Application
1 weekSubmit full application with Design and Access Statement, Environmental Statement (if EIA required), landscape plan, and all survey reports. Application fee is based on site area.
Consultation Period
3-5 weeksLPA consults statutory bodies (Natural England, Environment Agency, Historic England) and neighbours. Public comments are invited. Parish councils may object.
Determination
8-13 weeksPlanning officer writes a report recommending approval or refusal. Decision may be delegated to officers or referred to planning committee. Conditions are attached if approved.
How Does Agricultural Land Grade Affect Solar Farm Planning?
Agricultural land classification is the single biggest factor in solar farm planning decisions. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) protects the "Best and Most Versatile" (BMV) agricultural land — Grades 1, 2, and 3a. Solar farm applications on BMV land are frequently refused unless the applicant can demonstrate exceptional circumstances.
| Grade | Quality | Solar Farm Suitability | Planning Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Excellent | Very difficult | Almost always refused. Only 3% of England. |
| Grade 2 | Very Good | Difficult | Usually refused. Strong justification needed. |
| Grade 3a | Good (BMV) | Case-by-case | Assessed on merits. Site-specific ALC survey required. |
| Grade 3b | Moderate | Good | Generally approved. Most UK solar farms are on 3b. |
| Grade 4 | Poor | Excellent | Rarely refused on agricultural grounds. |
| Grade 5 | Very Poor | Excellent | Ideal. No agricultural concerns. |
Important: Provisional ALC maps (available from Natural England) only show Grades 1-5 without the 3a/3b split. A site-specific ALC survey by a qualified soil scientist is required to confirm whether land is 3a (BMV, protected) or 3b (non-BMV, suitable for solar). This survey typically costs £2,000-£5,000 and is essential before submitting a planning application.
What Are NSIPs and DCOs for Solar Farms Over 50MW?
Solar farms generating over 50MW in England are classified as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). NSIPs bypass local planning authorities entirely and are decided by the Planning Inspectorate through a Development Consent Order (DCO) process. The Secretary of State makes the final decision.
Standard Planning (<50MW)
- Decision maker: Local planning authority
- Timeline: 8-13 weeks (statutory)
- Cost: £500-£10,000 application fees
- Appeal: To Planning Inspectorate
- Typical projects: 5-49MW solar farms
DCO / NSIP (>50MW)
- Decision maker: Secretary of State
- Timeline: 12-18 months
- Cost: £500,000-£2,000,000+ (full process)
- Appeal: Judicial review only
- Typical projects: 50MW+ utility-scale solar
Note for Wales and Scotland: The 50MW NSIP threshold applies to England only. In Wales, solar projects of any size use the standard planning application route through the local planning authority (or Welsh Ministers for projects over 350MW). In Scotland, solar farms use the standard planning system with no NSIP equivalent.
Can You Install Solar Panels in Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings?
Conservation areas and listed buildings have additional restrictions on solar panel installations. Permitted development rights may be removed by Article 4 Directions, and listed buildings always require Listed Building Consent regardless of the type of solar installation.
Conservation Areas
- Rooftop panels on rear-facing slopes: usually permitted
- Front-facing panels: may be restricted by Article 4 Direction
- Ground-mount solar: additional landscape impact scrutiny
- Check your local authority's Article 4 register
Listed Buildings
- Always requires Listed Building Consent
- Grade I and II* buildings: rarely approved for visible panels
- Grade II buildings: possible on non-visible roof slopes
- Internal alterations (wiring) may also need consent
Other Designations
- AONBs: Additional landscape impact assessment
- Green Belt: Solar farms are "inappropriate development"
- Flood Zone 3: Sequential test required
- SSSIs: Natural England consultation mandatory
Why Do Solar Farm Planning Applications Get Refused?
Solar farm planning applications are refused for five main reasons: use of Best and Most Versatile agricultural land, unacceptable landscape and visual impact, harm to heritage assets, inadequate ecological mitigation, and impact on residential amenity (glint and glare).
Loss of BMV Agricultural Land
The most common reason for refusal. Demonstrate the land is Grade 3b or below with a site-specific ALC survey. If 3a, show how the land will be restored after the lease and propose agricultural co-use (sheep grazing).
Landscape & Visual Impact
Mitigate with native hedgerow planting (3-5m height), set-back from roads and footpaths, and landscape-led panel layout. A Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) by a qualified landscape architect is essential.
Heritage & Archaeology
Solar farms near listed buildings, scheduled monuments, or registered parks face scrutiny over setting impact. Commission a Heritage Statement and consider whether a desk-based archaeological assessment or trial trenching is needed.
Ecology & Biodiversity
All planning applications must demonstrate Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) of at least 10%. Ecological surveys for protected species (great crested newts, bats, badgers) are required. Propose habitat creation: wildflower meadows under panels, hedgehog highways, bird boxes.
Check Your Land's Grid Capacity Before Applying
Planning permission is only half the equation. Grid connection availability determines whether your project is financially viable. Check grid capacity free before investing in planning consultants.
Free Grid Capacity Check