Solar panels, heat pumps and insulation in Burton Bradstock 1 conservation area
In the Burton Bradstock 1 conservation area (Dorset), 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 Dorset covers part of this area (about 7% of it), but the published data does not say which rights it removes — check the direction before any work. The area has 64 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. 171 homes inside the boundary have an energy certificate: 34.5% are solid-wall homes with no wall insulation, 84.8% heat with a gas boiler and 64.3% 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
171homes with an energy certificate
34.5%solid walls, no insulation
84.8%heated by a gas boiler
3heat pumps
Article 4: An Article 4 direction published by Dorset covers part of this area (about 7% of it), but the published data does not say which rights it removes — check the direction before any work. (Burton Bradstock)
What needs planning permission in Burton Bradstock 1
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: 64 in the area (grade I: 1, 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: 17% 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 = 171)
Walls
Homes
Share
Solid wall (brick or stone), no insulation
59
34.5%
Cavity wall, filled
51
29.8%
Cavity wall, unfilled
34
19.9%
Cavity wall, insulated (as built or unspecified)
15
8.8%
Modern wall (U-value from the design)
4
2.3%
Solid wall, insulated
4
2.3%
Cavity wall, partly insulated
3
1.8%
Timber frame
1
0.6%
Heating
Homes
Share
Gas boiler
145
84.8%
Electric (storage heaters, panels, boiler)
13
7.6%
Oil
7
4.1%
Heat pump
3
1.8%
Solid fuel (wood, coal)
2
1.2%
LPG
1
0.6%
Loft / roof insulation
Homes
Share
No insulation
13
7.6%
Under 200 mm
27
15.8%
200 mm or more
62
36.3%
Insulated (depth not recorded)
36
21.1%
Flat or other home above
15
8.8%
Other
18
10.5%
Windows
Homes
Share
Double glazed
144
84.2%
Single glazed
22
12.9%
Secondary glazing
5
2.9%
CDE
Energy rating: A 1 (0.6%) · B 6 (3.5%) · C 54 (31.6%) · D 65 (38.0%) · E 35 (20.5%) · F 9 (5.3%) · G 1 (0.6%). Houses and bungalows: 83% of the homes; solar panels on 2.9% of the certificates. Most common build period on the certificates: before 1900. Designated: 5 August 1970.
Compared with Dorset and England
Share of homes
Burton Bradstock 1
All 311 areas in Dorset
England
Solid walls, no insulation
34.5%
37.3%
48.7%
Gas boiler
84.8%
60.1%
66.4%
Rated D–G
64.3%
—
56.5%
Caveats
Certificates describe a home when it was assessed; 42% 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 Dorset if in doubt.
Boundary: Dorset Council via planning.data.gov.uk (entity 44013776, reference BURT1, 27.5 ha). Homes are placed by the coordinates of their UPRN (OS Open UPRN); addresses are not shown.