The Microgeneration Certification Council (MCS) are consulting on the MCS 020 Planning Standard for Permitted Development Installations of Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP), in line with the outcome of the government review into noise and ASHP. While installation of ASHP is permitted development, it must comply with MCS 020. Planning is devolved so conditions for installation differ across the four UK devolved administrations. Since MCS 020 was first issued in 2011, and updated in 2019, improvements in heat pump technology have led contractors and consumers to raise concerns that current PDR are a barrier to installation. Currently in Wales domestic ASHP are required to be at least three metres from the site boundary, and in England one metre. The Welsh Government is also looking to update PDR in Wales. IOA are preparing a response for submission by the deadline of January 26th.
