Guidance for homeowners and businesses. Making changes to listed buildings. Development in conservation areas. Installing renewable energy sources.
We declared a climate emergency in 2019. Encouraging greener buildings is a top priority in our climate change strategy. We encourage installing renewable energy and heating systems. Also, retrofitting homes and business premises in Southwark.
You can usually install renewable energy and heating systems sources such as photovoltaic (PV) panels, air or ground source heat pumps without needing planning permission. This applies if the system meets certain conditions. These include the size and location of the system, and heritage rules.
If you're unsure if your proposal needs planning permission, use our checker service.
You can then apply for a lawful development certificate (LDC) if you want to be certain that your project does not need planning permission.
If your proposal needs planning permission, use our free pre-application service for renewable energy, heat and retrofit projects.
Community Energy London helps individuals, voluntary groups and businesses to share knowledge and enthusiasm for reducing energy waste.
Through the boiler upgrade scheme, you could get a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boiler.
When installing solar panels on your property, consider: