Solar panels, heat pumps and insulation in Orchard Road conservation area
In the Orchard Road conservation area (Stevenage), 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 Stevenage covers this area but deals with other things (such as changes of use); it does not change the rules below. 56 homes inside the boundary have an energy certificate: 27% are solid-wall homes with no wall insulation, 82% heat with a gas boiler and 64% are rated D–G; 7 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
56homes with an energy certificate
27%solid walls, no insulation
82%heated by a gas boiler
7heat pumps
Article 4: An Article 4 direction published by Stevenage covers this area but deals with other things (such as changes of use); it does not change the rules below. (Stevenage)
What needs planning permission in Orchard Road
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: 27% 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 = 56)
Walls
Homes
Share
Solid wall (brick or stone), no insulation
15
27%
Cavity wall, unfilled
14
25%
Modern wall (U-value from the design)
14
25%
Cavity wall, filled
9
16%
Cavity wall, insulated (as built or unspecified)
4
7%
Heating
Homes
Share
Gas boiler
46
82%
Heat pump
7
12%
Electric (storage heaters, panels, boiler)
3
5%
Loft / roof insulation
Homes
Share
No insulation
6
11%
Under 200 mm
15
27%
200 mm or more
12
21%
Insulated (depth not recorded)
4
7%
Flat or other home above
7
12%
Other
12
21%
Windows
Homes
Share
Double glazed
51
91%
Secondary glazing
3
5%
Single glazed
2
4%
CDE
Energy rating: B 4 (7%) · C 16 (29%) · D 24 (43%) · E 12 (21%). Houses and bungalows: 73% of the homes; solar panels on 0% of the certificates. Most common build period on the certificates: 1900-1929. Designated: 19 December 2007.
Compared with Stevenage and England
Share of homes
Orchard Road
All 7 areas in Stevenage
England
Solid walls, no insulation
27%
9.0%
48.7%
Gas boiler
82%
74.9%
66.4%
Rated D–G
64%
—
56.5%
Caveats
Certificates describe a home when it was assessed; 62% of these are from 2020 or later (latest 14 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 Stevenage if in doubt.
Boundary: Stevenage Borough Council via planning.data.gov.uk (entity 44015685, reference CA02, 4.7 ha); the council's appraisal or map. Homes are placed by the coordinates of their UPRN (OS Open UPRN); addresses are not shown.