Planning is only one part. See how we handle the whole job on the battery storage installation page.
The general position
Planning rules can feel heavier than they are. For a typical house, a home battery falls under permitted development. That means you can install it without applying for planning permission, as long as it meets the standard conditions on size and siting.
Domestic battery storage in England has its own permitted development class under the planning rules, brought in by a 2023 change. An ordinary home battery that meets the size, siting and boundary conditions is generally allowed, and most homeowners never need to involve the planning office at all. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own planning systems, so the position there differs.
That covers planning. It is separate from electrical safety, building rules and the network operator notification, which apply either way. We handle those as standard.
When permission may be needed
A few situations sit outside the simple route. This is where a quick check pays off.
Listed buildings sit outside these permitted development rights, so planning permission and usually listed building consent are needed before anything external is fitted. Conservation areas restrict units on a wall or roof that faces the road. Free standing units have their own volume, height and boundary limits, and some councils withdraw permitted development rights in specific areas, so a local check matters.
Flats are the other common one. Permitted development for batteries is built around a house and its grounds. A flat does not usually have the same rights, so permission is more likely to be required.
The good news is that none of this is your problem to untangle. We know which questions to ask and we confirm the answer before we quote.
Where the battery can go
Siting matters as much as planning. Wiring rules set out where a battery can safely sit, and those rules tightened for new installs from October 2026.
Lofts are no longer allowed. Garages, utility rooms, plant rooms and suitable outdoor spots are the usual homes for a battery. There are also clearances to keep from windows, doors and anything flammable.
We work all of this out on site. You get one recommendation that is safe, compliant and sensible for your home, with the paperwork handled and no forms for you to fill in.
