Solar panels, heat pumps and insulation in Chatterton/Strongstry conservation area
In the Chatterton/Strongstry conservation area (Rossendale), 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 Rossendale covers this area but deals with other things (such as changes of use); it does not change the rules below. 62 homes inside the boundary have an energy certificate: 82% are solid-wall homes with no wall insulation, 97% heat with a gas boiler and 82% are rated D–G; 0 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
62homes with an energy certificate
82%solid walls, no insulation
97%heated by a gas boiler
0heat pumps
Article 4: An Article 4 direction published by Rossendale covers this area but deals with other things (such as changes of use); it does not change the rules below. (Chatterton and Strongstry Conservation Area; Immediate Article 4 Direction for small Houses in Multiple Occupation)
What needs planning permission in Chatterton/Strongstry
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: none recorded inside the boundary; on a listed building, solar panels and heat pumps are not permitted development and need listed building consent.
Flats: 0% 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 = 62)
Walls
Homes
Share
Solid wall (brick or stone), no insulation
51
82%
Cavity wall, filled
4
6%
Cavity wall, unfilled
3
5%
Solid wall, internal insulation
2
3%
Cavity wall, insulated (as built or unspecified)
1
2%
Cavity wall, internal or external insulation
1
2%
Heating
Homes
Share
Gas boiler
60
97%
Oil
1
2%
Solid fuel (wood, coal)
1
2%
Loft / roof insulation
Homes
Share
No insulation
18
29%
Under 200 mm
13
21%
200 mm or more
25
40%
Insulated (depth not recorded)
6
10%
Windows
Homes
Share
Double glazed
59
95%
Single glazed
3
5%
CDE
Energy rating: C 11 (18%) · D 39 (63%) · E 10 (16%) · F 1 (2%) · G 1 (2%). Houses and bungalows: 100% of the homes; solar panels on 0% of the certificates. Most common build period on the certificates: before 1900. Designated: 7 March 1975.
Compared with Rossendale and England
Share of homes
Chatterton/Strongstry
All 11 areas in Rossendale
England
Solid walls, no insulation
82%
69.6%
48.7%
Gas boiler
97%
78.7%
66.4%
Rated D–G
82%
—
56.5%
Caveats
Certificates describe a home when it was assessed; 42% of these are from 2020 or later (latest 16 August 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 Rossendale if in doubt.
Boundary: Rossendale Borough Council via planning.data.gov.uk (entity 44010126, reference CA04, 37.9 ha); the council's appraisal or map. Homes are placed by the coordinates of their UPRN (OS Open UPRN); addresses are not shown.