Do I Need Planning Permission for Air Conditioning?

For most houses, fitting air conditioning is classed as permitted development, which means you don't need to apply for planning permission — provided you meet certain conditions.

The conditions usually relate to the outdoor unit — its size, where it sits, and how it affects your neighbours. We'll talk you through the likely position before we start.

You're more likely to need planning permission if you live in a conservation area, a listed building, or a flat where the outdoor unit would change the outside appearance of the building.

If your property has had its permitted development rights removed — common on some new-build estates — you may also need to apply. When in doubt, check with your local council before you book.

The outdoor unit is the part that most often triggers a check, because it's visible and it sits on the outside of the building. Rules can cover how far it projects, how close it is to a boundary, and its height.

We place the unit thoughtfully — on the ground, a bracket, a balcony or a flat roof — and we'll talk through the options with your property in mind.

If your home is listed or in a conservation area, the rules are stricter and you'll almost certainly need consent before fitting anything that changes the outside — including an outdoor unit.

In these cases we can talk through discreet placement options, but the consent has to come first. Don't book an install on a listed building without checking.

We fit the unit properly and neatly, and we'll advise on placement that's likely to keep you within the rules. But the responsibility for checking planning and any restrictions on your property sits with you — we'll always tell you to check if there's any doubt.

If you're unsure, a quick call to your local planning department settles it. We're happy to talk through the install with that in mind.