Are you wondering if you need planning permission for a flue to go through a roof?
There could be a number of reasons why you need your new boiler to flue through your roof. However, many homeowners find the prospect concerning, as it’s often unclear whether you actually need planning permission to do this. After all, you’d hate to get in trouble and even fined.
The good news is, over the years we’ve fitted hundreds – if not thousands – of flues through roofs all over Edinburgh. That’s why, as an experienced heating engineer, I thought I’d write this blog post – to set your mind at ease.
So, read on to find out why you may not need to worry about your flue going through your roof.
DISCLAIMER: This blog focuses on ‘permitted development’ in Edinburgh. Most local authorities will have similar regulations, however, if you’re based elsewhere, it’s wise to double-check your local authority’s stance on permitted development – just in case.
Permitted development: what you need to know
According to Edinburgh Council, not all alterations – including extensions – actually require planning permission. In fact, many small household alterations and extensions can be carried out without needing to even apply for permission. This is what’s known as ‘permitted development’.
However, there are of course some limitations, for instance if you live in a:
- Flat
- House located in a conservation area
- Listed building
But when it’s something as simple as a flue going through a roof, it’s still possible you won’t need to apply. Here’s why:
How does permitted development apply to boiler flues?
The installation of a boiler flue comes under Class 2B: ‘improvements or alterations that are not enlargements’. The typical rule of thumb is to think of your house or flat with a 1-metre bubble surrounding it. You can add a wide range of improvements to your house, as long as nothing exceeds that 1-metre bubble.
You can add things such as:
- Replacement windows and doors
- Cladding
- A boiler flue
- Satellite dishes
- Paint
- Photo-voltaic or solar thermal equipment
NOTE: The above class excludes developments such as balconies, wind turbines, roof terraces or raised platforms.
As long as you’re not in a conservation area, you can feel free to have your flue fitted through your roof. However, if you do find yourself in a conservation area, unfortunately you will need to send an application to the relevant planning authority.
What if you live in a flat?
If you live in a top floor flat, most of the above – including the 1-metre rule – will still apply to you under ‘permitted development’. However in the Council’s guidelines, this comes under Class 4A; ‘making changes to a flat’ (found in Section 5, page 58).
According to the Council: “There are no permitted development rights in a conservation area, or within the curtilage of a listed building. A listing building content is required if the proposed development affects the character or setting of a listed building.
TIP: You can check if your building is listed by following this link.
If you live in a flat, you may also still need to apply for a building warrant which you can verify with your local authority building standards department.
I should also note that, permitted development is not given if your flue forms part of a combined heating and power system, or a biomass heating system. However, if it’s just a regular flue that does not exceed that 1-metre bubble surrounding your top-floor property – and you’ve checked you don’t need a building warrant – you should be good to go.
Advice from an experienced engineer
If you’re still uncertain of whether you need planning permission for a flue, do your research. Look up council guidelines and regulations on the matter, and speak to any of your neighbours. They might be able to tell you about any recent experiences they’ve had with the same issue.
You can also speak to your chosen engineer, who may already have experience fitting boiler flues in your area.
The best thing I can tell you here is that if you’re ever in any doubt, wait before you get any work carried out. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Conclusion
Unsure if you need planning permission for a flue to go through your roof? This blog post has highlighted the most important guidelines and regulations from Edinburgh Council, as of June 2016. But remember that regulations and guidelines will be updated over the years, so it’s always best to check.
It’s important to do your homework so that you can have peace of mind when fitting your flue through a roof. However, in most cases you’ll probably find your property will fall under ‘permitted development’ Class 2B. This means that as long as your flue doesn’t exceed 1 metre outside of your home, you should be fine!
Got any more specific questions about fitting a flue through a roof? Let me know in the comments, and I promise to respond!
