A COUNCILLOR’S bid to gain permission to install a heat pump on his home wasn’t needed – as they are allowed under permitted development rules.
Rob White, the leader of the opposition, applied to Reading Borough Council for the air sourced heating provider which would sit at the rear of his Coventry Road house.
At a planning commission meeting, Cllr Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey) questioned why a planning application has been submitted in the first place.
It has been clarified that you only need planning permission for a heat pump if:
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The air source heat pump is larger than 0.6 cubic metres
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It will be located at the front of the property
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The applicant lives in a conservation area.
Cllr Rowland said: “It doesn’t need to be brought forward at all. Obviously, we would be happy and look forward to any councillor that is going to be installing an air source heat pump, so otherwise I have no problems with it.”
Agreeing, a council officer said: “It looks like something which would normally be permitted development. Sometimes people decide to put in a planning application anyway.”
Cllr Doug Cresswell (Green, Katesgrove) commented: “Of all the adjustments that we are going to need to become a more efficient society this is a pretty minor one.”
The installation of the pump was unanimously approved by the council’s planning applications committee on Wednesday, May 29.
Justifying the application, Cllr White – who represents the Green Party on Park ward – said the heat pump isn’t considered permitted development if it is within one metre of a property’s boundary.
Any future government would need to consult on scrapping this rule.
