Confusion has been raised over a project to install an air source heat pump at a Reading councillor’s home. 

Councillor Rob White (Green, Park), the leader of the opposition on Reading Borough Council has won permission to install an air source heat pump to the rear of his terraced home in Coventry Road.

But it has emerged that cllr White did not need to submit a planning application for the heat pump, as the installation of the pumps are typically considered permitted development, and therefore do not require planning permission to install.

At a 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:

  1. The air source heat pump is larger than 0.6 cubic metres
  2. It will be located at the front of the property
  3. You live in a conservation area.

Cllr Rowland said: “It doesn’t actually 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, Richard Eatough 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 said that the heat pump isn’t considered permitted development if it is within one metre of the boundary.

The government is going to consult on scrapping this rule.