Do I need planning permission for solar panels in Derby?

Short answer: Usually not. Panels on a pitched roof are permitted development if they stand no more than 0.2 metres proud of the slope and stay below the ridge. Listed homes need consent, and Derby's 16 conservation areas and the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site add limits.

Permitted development: the basic rules

Solar panels on a house in England are usually permitted development under Part 14 of the General Permitted Development Order, which means no planning application is needed (legislation.gov.uk). The main conditions for panels on a house are:

On a pitched roof, the panels can stand no more than 0.2 metres beyond the roof slope.
The highest part of the panels must not be higher than the highest part of the roof, not counting any chimney.
On a flat roof, panels and frames can be no more than 0.6 metres above the highest part of the roof.
The panels must be sited, as far as practicable, to minimise their effect on the look of the building and the area, and removed when no longer needed.

For most Derby semis and terraces, a standard system on the main roof slope meets all of those.

When you do need to apply

Listed buildings

Permitted development never covers panels on a listed house, or on a building within its grounds. You need planning permission and, where the work affects the building’s character, listed building consent.

Conservation areas and the World Heritage Site

Derby City Council has 16 conservation areas, including the City Centre, Friar Gate, the Arboretum, Little Chester, Strutts Park, Darley Abbey, Allestree, Mickleover, Spondon and Markeaton (Derby City Council). Part of Darley Abbey also lies within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

In conservation areas and World Heritage Sites, the national rules stop panels going on a wall, balcony or roof enclosure that fronts a highway. Roof panels are still usually allowed within the normal limits.

Article 4 directions

The council has made Article 4 directions in several conservation areas, including Allestree, Darley Abbey, Mickleover, Spondon and Strutts Park (Derby City Council). An Article 4 direction removes some permitted development rights for the homes it covers, so work that would normally go ahead can need an application. The directions are specific to each area and sometimes to particular properties, so check the one that applies to your street.

Not sure if your street is covered?

Send us your postcode and we check the planning position before we quote.

01332 919162

Outside the city

Derby City Council only covers the city. The towns around it have their own councils, and the rules above apply the same way, but each council keeps its own conservation area list:

Belper and Duffield: Amber Valley Borough Council. Belper’s mills are also in the World Heritage Site.
Matlock and Ashbourne: Derbyshire Dales District Council, or the Peak District National Park authority inside the park boundary.
Long Eaton and Ilkeston: Erewash Borough Council.
Burton upon Trent: East Staffordshire Borough Council.

Ground-mounted panels

A stand-alone array in the garden can also be permitted development. It must be no more than 9 square metres, no dimension over 3 metres, no more than 4 metres high, at least 5 metres from the boundary, and there can be only one (legislation.gov.uk). Listed homes are excluded here too.

Grid notification isn’t planning

Separately from planning, every system has to be notified to the network operator, National Grid Electricity Distribution in Derby. For a normal home system that happens within 28 days of switching on (National Grid). Your installer should handle it and give you a copy.

What to do next

If your home isn’t listed and isn’t in a conservation area, a standard roof system almost certainly goes ahead without an application. If it is, don’t rule solar out. Check the council’s conservation area page and any Article 4 direction for your street, or ask us to check it as part of a quote. How much do solar panels cost in Derby? covers the next question.

Bottom line

Most Derby houses can have roof panels without an application, within the 0.2 metre and ridge-height limits. Listed homes always need consent, and in the city's 16 conservation areas and the World Heritage Site the rules tighten, so check your address first. Call 01332 919162, 9am to 7pm, 7 days.

Questions people also ask

Can I put solar panels on the front of my house in a conservation area?

On a roof slope, often yes, within the normal limits. In conservation areas and World Heritage Sites the rules stop panels going on a wall, balcony or roof enclosure that fronts a highway. Where an Article 4 direction applies, more may need consent, so check with the council.

Do I need permission for solar panels on a flat roof?

Usually not, as long as the panels and frames stand no more than 0.6 metres above the highest part of the roof, not counting the chimney. Listed buildings and some conservation area homes are the exceptions.

Do I need permission for ground-mounted solar panels?

A single stand-alone array can be permitted development if it is no more than 9 square metres, no dimension is over 3 metres, it is no more than 4 metres high and it sits at least 5 metres from the boundary. Listed homes are excluded.