The Welsh Government published its summary of responses to the "Changes to Permitted Development Rights" consultation in December 2025, setting out which proposals it intends to take forward and in what order. The consultation was launched on 8 April 2025 and was open for responses until 1 July 2025, with 49 specific questions set out in the document1. It generated 174 responses during the consultation period, as well as 2 late responses, a total of 1761.
Respondents were asked to assign themselves to one of six categories. The largest group was "Other Group or Individual (not listed above)" at 83 responses, or 47 per cent of the total. Business and consultants accounted for 36 responses (20 per cent), professional bodies and interest groups 21 (12 per cent), local planning authorities 15 (9 per cent), government agencies and other public sector bodies 11 (6 per cent), and voluntary sector and community groups 10 (6 per cent)1.
On air source heat pumps, the Welsh Government is minded to proceed with two changes. On removing condition G.3(a), which requires an ASHP to be used solely for heating purposes so that air-to-air heat pumps can also be installed, 78 per cent of those answering agreed, with 5 against and 25 answering "don't know"1. On removing the limitation requiring an ASHP to be 3m from the property boundary, 76 per cent agreed, 9 disagreed and 24 answered "don't know"1. The government said all air source heat pumps installed under permitted development rights will need to comply with MCS 020(a) standards, and that other limitations on unit volume, number, location, design and sensitive areas will also apply1. Where compliance is not achieved, a planning application will be required1.
"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."
The document records that MCS introduced its amended ASHP standards on 20 March 2025, further amended on 23 April1. On the off-street parking EV charger proposals, the government said these changes will be taken forward when the necessary resources become available in a second phase of implementation1. The summary also covers temporary camp sites, reverse vending machines, development by statutory undertakers for electricity, affordable housing and meanwhile uses, the definition of major development, compensation for future removal of permitted development rights, and Welsh language considerations1. The consultation on the definition of major development launched on 7 July1.
| Proposal | Agree | Disagree | Don't know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remove condition G.3(a) on ASHPs | 78% | 5 | 25 |
| Remove the 3m boundary rule for ASHPs | 76% | 9 | 24 |
Why it matters for households
Permitted development rights allow certain home energy installations to go ahead without a full planning application. The two ASHP changes would widen what can be installed without that step: air-to-air heat pumps, which can also provide cooling, and units placed closer than 3m to a boundary. Responses noted that the 3m rule falls hardest on households with limited outdoor space, and that noise nuisance was the most frequent concern raised1. The MCS 020 noise assessment standard is the mechanism the government points to for controlling that, alongside the existing limits on unit size, number and siting1. For a household weighing up a heat pump, the practical position is that the planning route may become simpler, but the technical standard and the other limitations remain, and a planning application is still required where compliance is not met1. The EV charging changes, which affect public EV charging provision at off-street parking, are not being taken forward in this first phase1.
What happens next
The ASHP proposals are being taken forward in a first phase. The off-street parking EV charger changes will be taken forward when the necessary resources become available in a second phase of implementation1. No dates for either phase are given in the summary of responses.