Agenda item

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment, in respect of the Government’s two recently launched consultations relating to Strengthening Planning Policy within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for brownfield development, and changes to Permitted Development (PD) rights in relation to air source heat pumps, electric vehicle (EV) charging and residential extensions. The report set out the proposed consultation responses, highlighting areas of interest or concern to the City of London Corporation.

A Member stated that whilst he approved of the installations of air source heat pumps, he had concerns about them being installed under permitted development as acoustic shrouds could then not be conditioned. The Officer stated that, in the City of London Corporation’s view, prior approval should be sought for air source heat pumps that were within a metre of a boundary and this would be part of the recommended approach in the consultation response. In addition, there was a noise standard which had recently been consulted on, and this would need to be complied with as part of any permitted development. 

A Member commented that the aim of making the installations of air source heat pumps a permitted development right, was to remove it from planning applications and therefore to put it back in to control noise seemed detrimental. He considered that the Committee should instead state that noise standards should have to be appropriate and enforceable. The Officer stated there was a judgement to be made and the planning system did exist in part to consider issues such as noise and impact. The Officer added that the government wanted to give more certainty to people wanting to install air source heat pumps whilst also having an independent standard that ensured the noise impacts of those would not be detrimental. The Officer stated that the Committee might consider that due to the nature of the City, with its highly built-up and constrained nature, that the right approach would be a prior approval system being put in place. He also stated that equally, the Committee could consider that the system the government was seeking to put in place would be sufficient and would allow and encourage the installation of more air source heat pumps.

A Member requested that a decibel rating of 10 decibels under standard be incorporated into the wording. The Officer stated that the two ratings would be considered and this assurance could be added if this was not included within the government standard.

In response to a Member’s comment, the Officer stated that where there were yes or no responses in the consultation, a comment would also be provided.

Members discussed supporting the inclusion of air source heat pumps within permitted development but asked for the wording to be amended to reflect the suggestions of Members in relation to noise standards. Officers confirmed that the wording would be amended.

RESOLVED, that subject to the amendment of wording in accordance with Members’ comments on noise standards in relation to air source heat pumps, the proposed responses to the government’s consultations on: ‘Changes to Various Permitted Development Rights’ and ‘Strengthening Planning Policy for Brownfield Development’ be approved.