Solar panels, heat pumps and insulation in Hartlip conservation area
In the Hartlip conservation area (Swale), 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 Swale covers part of this area (about 6% of it), but the published data does not say which rights it removes — check the direction before any work. The area has 18 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. 41 homes inside the boundary have an energy certificate: 39% are solid-wall homes with no wall insulation, 76% heat with a gas boiler and 80% 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
41homes with an energy certificate
39%solid walls, no insulation
76%heated by a gas boiler
1heat pumps
Article 4: An Article 4 direction published by Swale covers part of this area (about 6% of it), but the published data does not say which rights it removes — check the direction before any work. (Sweepstakes Farm, Lower Hartlip Road, Hartlip)
What needs planning permission in Hartlip
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: 18 in the area (grade I: 1, 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: 2% 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 = 41)
Walls
Homes
Share
Solid wall (brick or stone), no insulation
16
39%
Cavity wall, unfilled
7
17%
Cavity wall, insulated (as built or unspecified)
5
12%
Cavity wall, filled
4
10%
Modern wall (U-value from the design)
2
5%
Timber frame
2
5%
Cavity wall, internal or external insulation
1
2%
Cavity wall, partly insulated
1
2%
Other or not known
1
2%
Solid wall, insulated
1
2%
Solid wall, internal insulation
1
2%
Heating
Homes
Share
Gas boiler
31
76%
Oil
8
20%
Electric (storage heaters, panels, boiler)
1
2%
Heat pump
1
2%
Loft / roof insulation
Homes
Share
No insulation
6
15%
Under 200 mm
6
15%
200 mm or more
17
41%
Insulated (depth not recorded)
7
17%
Flat or other home above
1
2%
Other
4
10%
Windows
Homes
Share
Double glazed
30
73%
Single glazed
8
20%
Secondary glazing
3
7%
CDE
Energy rating: B 2 (5%) · C 6 (15%) · D 22 (54%) · E 9 (22%) · F 2 (5%). Houses and bungalows: 98% of the homes; solar panels on 0% of the certificates. Most common build period on the certificates: before 1900. Designated: 3 July 1970.
Compared with Swale and England
Share of homes
Hartlip
All 52 areas in Swale
England
Solid walls, no insulation
39%
48.7%
48.7%
Gas boiler
76%
76.3%
66.4%
Rated D–G
80%
—
56.5%
Caveats
Certificates describe a home when it was assessed; 54% of these are from 2020 or later (latest 17 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 Swale if in doubt.
Boundary: Swale Borough Council via planning.data.gov.uk (entity 44016692, reference CA-SWL-19, 50.3 ha); the council's appraisal or map. Homes are placed by the coordinates of their UPRN (OS Open UPRN); addresses are not shown.