Class M – Water source heat pump on commercial

Water source heat pumps are permitted development and do not require planning permission within the cutilage of commercial property. Unlike other permitted development rights there are no restrictions in conservation areas or listed buildings unless an Article 4 exists or a restriction via a previous planning permission.  

If it is a listed building you will probably still require listed building consent for your water source heat pump.

As you can see from the very limited legislation there is only one condition within Class M for water source heat pumps on commercial property and that is the total surface area covered must not exceed 0.5 hectares.

And that it that on Class M!

For the residential version of this, please see Class D of Part 14.

Legislation

Class M – installation or alteration etc of water source heat pump on non-domestic premises

Permitted development

M. The installation, alteration or replacement of a microgeneration water source heat pump within the curtilage of a building other than a dwellinghouse or a block of flats.

Conditions

M.1 Development is permitted by Class M subject to the condition that the total surface area covered by the water source heat pump (including any pipes) must not exceed 0.5 hectares.

Page Updated:  4th March 2023