Solar panels, heat pumps and insulation in Epsom Town Centre conservation area
In the Epsom Town Centre conservation area (Epsom and Ewell), 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 Epsom and Ewell covers part of this area (about 26% of it) but deals with other things (such as changes of use); it does not change the rules below. The area has 37 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. 226 homes inside the boundary have an energy certificate: 28.3% are solid-wall homes with no wall insulation, 51.8% heat with a gas boiler and 44.7% 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
226homes with an energy certificate
28.3%solid walls, no insulation
51.8%heated by a gas boiler
1heat pumps
Article 4: An Article 4 direction published by Epsom and Ewell covers part of this area (about 26% of it) but deals with other things (such as changes of use); it does not change the rules below. (Epsom Town Centre (primary retail frontages only))
What needs planning permission in Epsom Town Centre
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: 37 in the area (grade I: 0, II*: 3). 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: 96% 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 = 226)
Walls
Homes
Share
Modern wall (U-value from the design)
98
43.4%
Solid wall (brick or stone), no insulation
64
28.3%
Timber frame
19
8.4%
Solid wall, internal insulation
14
6.2%
Cavity wall, insulated (as built or unspecified)
12
5.3%
Cavity wall, unfilled
10
4.4%
Solid wall, insulated
6
2.7%
Cavity wall, internal or external insulation
1
0.4%
Cavity wall, partly insulated
1
0.4%
Other or not known
1
0.4%
Heating
Homes
Share
Gas boiler
117
51.8%
Electric (storage heaters, panels, boiler)
108
47.8%
Heat pump
1
0.4%
Loft / roof insulation
Homes
Share
No insulation
21
9.3%
Under 200 mm
15
6.6%
200 mm or more
15
6.6%
Insulated (depth not recorded)
23
10.2%
Flat or other home above
85
37.6%
Other
67
29.6%
Windows
Homes
Share
Double glazed
187
82.7%
Single glazed
27
11.9%
Secondary glazing
11
4.9%
Triple glazed
1
0.4%
BCDE
Energy rating: B 28 (12.4%) · C 97 (42.9%) · D 63 (27.9%) · E 25 (11.1%) · F 7 (3.1%) · G 6 (2.7%). Houses and bungalows: 4% of the homes; solar panels on 0.0% of the certificates. Most common build period on the certificates: 1900-1929. Designated: 30 June 2009.
Compared with Epsom and Ewell and England
Share of homes
Epsom Town Centre
All 28 areas in Epsom and Ewell
England
Solid walls, no insulation
28.3%
34.4%
48.7%
Gas boiler
51.8%
76.9%
66.4%
Rated D–G
44.7%
—
56.5%
Caveats
Certificates describe a home when it was assessed; 56% of these are from 2020 or later (latest 13 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 Epsom and Ewell if in doubt.
Boundary: Epsom and Ewell Borough Council via planning.data.gov.uk (entity 44002139, reference 000016/CONARA, 7.4 ha); the council's appraisal or map. Homes are placed by the coordinates of their UPRN (OS Open UPRN); addresses are not shown.