The Scottish Government are consulting on potential amendments to permitted development rights intended to simplify planning processes and encourage new home provision in cities and rural areas. The consultation includes proposals related change of use for buildings and to domestic air source heat pumps (ASHP) and heat network connections. For ASHP proposals include requiring installation to comply with the current Microgeneration Certification Scheme Standard (MCS) 020. Changes are also considered to allow up to two ASHP on detacthced homes, and to allow use for heating and cooling, but not solely for cooling. At this stage they do not consider there to be sufficient data or a clear methodology that would allow permitted development for more than one ASHP to be installed on flatted buildings or terraced or semi-detached properties, so a planning application would still be required to assess issues including potential cumulative noise. The IOA previously responded to a similar consultation in England, and IOA Scotland will be collating a response.
This consultation is open until October 27th
Permitted development rights to support the provision of new homes: consultation - gov.scot
