The Welsh Government opened a consultation on changes to permitted development rights in Wales on 8 April 2025, seeking views on proposed changes to various rights and on the introduction of new ones1. The consultation ran until 1 July 2025 and covered air source heat pumps, off-street parking electric vehicle charging units, temporary camp sites, development by statutory undertakers (electricity), emergency affordable housing and meanwhile uses, and the definition of major development, as well as the introduction of permitted development rights for reverse vending machines1.
The consultation document set out 49 specific questions, with a standard form provided for ease of response2. It generated 174 responses during the consultation period, as well as 2 late responses, giving a total of 1762. Respondents were asked to assign themselves to one of six broad categories2:
| Category | Number | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Consultant | 36 | 20% |
| Government Agency/Other Public Sector | 11 | 6% |
| Local Planning Authority | 15 | 9% |
| Other Group or Individual (not listed above) | 83 | 47% |
| Professional Bodies/Interest Groups | 21 | 12% |
| Voluntary Sector/Community Groups | 10 | 6% |
| Grand Total | 176 | 100% |
On air source heat pumps, the summary of responses reports strong support for removing condition G.3(a), which requires an air source heat pump to be used solely for heating purposes, so as to also enable the installation of an air-to-air heat pump. Of those answering, 106 agreed, 5 disagreed and 25 did not know, which the summary gives as 78% in agreement2. The Welsh Government's response states that all air source heat pumps installed under permitted development rights will need to comply with MCS 020(a) standards, and that other limitations such as unit volume, number, location, design and consideration of sensitive areas will also apply2.
A second proposal, to remove the limitation requiring an air source heat pump to be 3m from the property boundary, drew 103 in agreement, 9 against and 24 who did not know, given as 76% in agreement2. The summary records that the most frequent concern raised by respondents relates to potential noise nuisance, and that a number of responses highlighted that the 3m rule disproportionately affects households with limited outdoor space2. It also notes that MCS introduced amended air source heat pump standards on 20 March 2025, further amended on 23 April2.
"The majority of responses show strong support for the proposal to remove condition G.3(a). We consider the potential benefits of this proposal will enhance consumer choice and encourage the adoption of low-carbon technologies in households across Wales."
Why it matters for households
Permitted development rights are what allow certain home energy installations to go ahead without a full planning application. The two air source heat pump proposals under consultation bear directly on where a unit can sit and what it can do: removing the 3m boundary limitation would matter most to homes with small gardens or tight side access, where the current rule can be difficult to meet, while removing condition G.3(a) would widen the range of air source equipment that could be installed without permission, including air-to-air units that can also provide cooling2. The Welsh Government's stated position is that MCS 020(a) noise standards and other limitations would still apply, so the practical effect for a household would depend on whether a proposed unit meets those standards; where compliance is not achieved, a planning application will be required2. The consultation also covered off-street parking electric vehicle charging units, which affects homes with driveways or other off-street parking1.
What happens next
The consultation ended on 1 July 20251. The summary of responses was published in December 2025, with the page last updated on 19 December 20251. On the air source heat pump proposals, the summary states that the changes "will be taken forward when the necessary resources become available in a second phase of implementation"2. No dates for that second phase have been reported.