Solar panels, heat pumps and insulation in Christchurch (Doncaster) conservation area
In the Christchurch (Doncaster) conservation area (Doncaster), 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 Doncaster covers this area, but the published data does not say which rights it removes — check the direction before any work. The area has 4 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. 297 homes inside the boundary have an energy certificate: 52.9% are solid-wall homes with no wall insulation, 65.7% heat with a gas boiler and 72.1% are rated D–G; 1 has 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
297homes with an energy certificate
52.9%solid walls, no insulation
65.7%heated by a gas boiler
1heat pumps
Article 4: An Article 4 direction published by Doncaster covers this area, but the published data does not say which rights it removes — check the direction before any work. (Article 4 (HMO) Boundary - Came into force 14 October 2019)
What needs planning permission in Christchurch (Doncaster)
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), unless an Article 4 direction removes it — check with the council
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), unless an Article 4 direction removes it — check with the council
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)
Prior approval of appearance from the council, unless an Article 4 direction removes it — check with the council
Replacement windows and doors of similar appearance
No permission needed (permitted development), unless an Article 4 direction removes it — check with the council
Part 1 Class A, A.3(a)
Listed buildings: 4 in the area (grade I: 0, II*: 1). 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: 77% 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 = 297)
Walls
Homes
Share
Solid wall (brick or stone), no insulation
157
52.9%
Modern wall (U-value from the design)
40
13.5%
Cavity wall, filled
38
12.8%
Cavity wall, insulated (as built or unspecified)
21
7.1%
Solid wall, internal insulation
21
7.1%
Cavity wall, unfilled
8
2.7%
Timber frame
5
1.7%
Cavity wall, internal or external insulation
3
1.0%
Other or not known
2
0.7%
Cavity wall, partly insulated
1
0.3%
Solid wall, external insulation
1
0.3%
Heating
Homes
Share
Gas boiler
195
65.7%
Electric (storage heaters, panels, boiler)
97
32.7%
Communal heating
2
0.7%
Heat pump
1
0.3%
LPG
1
0.3%
Other
1
0.3%
Loft / roof insulation
Homes
Share
No insulation
77
25.9%
Under 200 mm
24
8.1%
200 mm or more
22
7.4%
Insulated (depth not recorded)
20
6.7%
Flat or other home above
134
45.1%
Other
20
6.7%
Windows
Homes
Share
Double glazed
271
91.2%
Single glazed
25
8.4%
Other
1
0.3%
CDE
Energy rating: C 83 (27.9%) · D 138 (46.5%) · E 61 (20.5%) · F 8 (2.7%) · G 7 (2.4%). Houses and bungalows: 23% of the homes; solar panels on 0.0% of the certificates. Most common build period on the certificates: 1900-1929. Designated: 20 May 1977.
Compared with Doncaster and England
Share of homes
Christchurch (Doncaster)
All 38 areas in Doncaster
England
Solid walls, no insulation
52.9%
39.4%
48.7%
Gas boiler
65.7%
75.4%
66.4%
Rated D–G
72.1%
—
56.5%
Caveats
Certificates describe a home when it was assessed; 44% of these are from 2020 or later (latest 30 September 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 Doncaster if in doubt.
Boundary: Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council via planning.data.gov.uk (entity 44008687, reference 21, 14.4 ha); the council's appraisal or map. Homes are placed by the coordinates of their UPRN (OS Open UPRN); addresses are not shown.