Heat pumps - non-domestic

When installing a ground source heat pump in the grounds of a non-domestic building, all the following conditions must be observed:

• When no longer needed for microgeneration pumps should be removed as soon as reasonably practicable and the land should, as far as reasonably practicable, be restored to its condition before the development took place, or to the condition agreed in writing between the local planning authority and the developer.
• The total area of excavation must not exceed 0.5 hectares.
• Only one ground source heat pump is located within the curtilage of the building. Any more than one will require planning permission.

If you are installing a new ground source heat pump after 1 October 2023 you may need to get a permit from the Environment Agency. Full details around permits and exemptions from requiring permits are available on the government website¹.

1. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/closed-loop-ground-source-heating-and-cooling-systems-when-you-need-a-permit