Solar panels, heat pumps and insulation in Old Basing conservation area
In the Old Basing conservation area (Basingstoke and Deane), external wall insulation needs planning permission, and so does an air source heat pump on a wall or roof facing the road; one at the back or side, internal and loft insulation and solar panels on a roof slope normally do not. An Article 4 direction published by Basingstoke and Deane covers part of this area (about 6% of it) but deals with other things (such as changes of use); it does not change the rules below. The area has 70 listed buildings; on a listed building solar panels and heat pumps are not permitted development at all and need planning permission and listed building consent. 252 homes inside the boundary have an energy certificate: 21.8% are solid-wall homes with no wall insulation, 92.1% heat with a gas boiler and 61.9% are rated D–G; 3 have a heat pump. EPC register November 2026; rules as at 21 October 2026.
Data: EPC register November 2026 (latest certificate per home), conservation area boundaries 3 November 2026, permitted development rules as at 21 October 2026 · calculated 5 November 2026 · Methodology and sources
252homes with an energy certificate
21.8%solid walls, no insulation
92.1%heated by a gas boiler
3heat pumps
Article 4: An Article 4 direction published by Basingstoke and Deane covers part of this area (about 6% of it) but deals with other things (such as changes of use); it does not change the rules below. (Basingstoke Town and Chineham and the surrounding villages of Old Basing, Oakley and Sherborne St John.)
What needs planning permission in Old Basing
Work (house, not listed)
In a conservation area
Rule
Air source heat pump on a wall or roof facing the road, or nearer the road than the house
Planning permission needed
Part 14 Class G, G.1(j)
Air source heat pump at the back or side (outdoor unit up to 1.5 m³, MCS Planning Standards, one per house — two on a detached house)
No permission needed (permitted development)
Part 14 Class G
Solar panels on a pitched roof (up to 0.2 m proud, not above the ridge)
No permission needed (permitted development)
Part 14 Class A, A.2(c)
Solar panels on a wall, balcony or roof enclosure facing the road
Planning permission needed
Part 14 Class A, A.2(e)
Solar panels on a flat roof (up to 0.6 m above the roof)
Replacement windows and doors of similar appearance
No permission needed (permitted development)
Part 1 Class A, A.3(a)
Listed buildings: 70 in the area (grade I: 2, II*: 0). The table is for houses that are not listed: on a listed building, solar panels and air source heat pumps are not permitted development at all (they need planning permission), and any of these works needs listed building consent.
Flats: 5% of the certified homes here are flats or maisonettes. Homes in a block of flats have no householder rights for alterations; heat pumps and solar have their own, tighter rules for blocks of flats.
The homes in the area (latest certificate per home, n = 252)
Walls
Homes
Share
Cavity wall, filled
83
32.9%
Solid wall (brick or stone), no insulation
55
21.8%
Cavity wall, insulated (as built or unspecified)
43
17.1%
Cavity wall, unfilled
39
15.5%
Timber frame
13
5.2%
Cavity wall, partly insulated
8
3.2%
Cavity wall, internal or external insulation
4
1.6%
Modern wall (U-value from the design)
3
1.2%
Solid wall, insulated
2
0.8%
Solid wall, external insulation
1
0.4%
Solid wall, internal insulation
1
0.4%
Heating
Homes
Share
Gas boiler
232
92.1%
Electric (storage heaters, panels, boiler)
12
4.8%
Oil
4
1.6%
Heat pump
3
1.2%
Solid fuel (wood, coal)
1
0.4%
Loft / roof insulation
Homes
Share
No insulation
22
8.7%
Under 200 mm
95
37.7%
200 mm or more
78
31.0%
Insulated (depth not recorded)
40
15.9%
Flat or other home above
8
3.2%
Other
9
3.6%
Windows
Homes
Share
Double glazed
231
91.7%
Secondary glazing
11
4.4%
Single glazed
10
4.0%
CDE
Energy rating: B 5 (2.0%) · C 91 (36.1%) · D 121 (48.0%) · E 28 (11.1%) · F 5 (2.0%) · G 2 (0.8%). Houses and bungalows: 95% of the homes; solar panels on 2.4% of the certificates. Most common build period on the certificates: before 1900. Designated: 1 January 1973.
Compared with Basingstoke and Deane and England
Share of homes
Old Basing
All 43 areas in Basingstoke and Deane
England
Solid walls, no insulation
21.8%
24.3%
48.7%
Gas boiler
92.1%
62.0%
66.4%
Rated D–G
61.9%
—
56.5%
Caveats
Certificates describe a home when it was assessed; 48% of these are from 2020 or later (latest 19 October 2026). “No insulation (assumed)” is the assessor's default for older walls.
The rules are England's national permitted development rules (General Permitted Development Order 2015, Schedule 2, as at 21 October 2026). They do not cover building regulations or a council's own conditions. This is not a planning decision: ask Basingstoke and Deane if in doubt.
Boundary: Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council via planning.data.gov.uk (entity 44016261, reference 8467, 115.4 ha); the council's appraisal or map. Homes are placed by the coordinates of their UPRN (OS Open UPRN); addresses are not shown.