Easy-to-read guide supports residents and businesses to install eco-friendly measures on homes and buildings

The publication of the guide comes during the “Go Zero” campaign, where the council and its partners are raising awareness of climate change and the ways in which we can all play our part in reducing emissions.  

Across the borough, local people are determined to play their part in tackling the climate emergency, and to ensure that their homes and buildings are more energy efficient and comfortable.  

However, the current planning rules around retrofitting – the process through which eco-friendly measures such as double glazing, solar panels, and more efficient heating systems are installed – can be complex and difficult to understand.  

That’s why the council has published a new “Permitted Development Guide for Net Zero Works” which states, in simple terms, which measures do and don’t require planning permission.  

The guide reveals that internal wall insulation, eco-friendly ground-source and water-source heat pumps, and flues do not require planning permission for many residential properties in the borough. Meanwhile, other measures such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicle chargers also potentially don’t require planning permission, so long as certain guidelines set out in the guidance are met.    

In addition to the publication of the guide, a free of charge Duty Planner service is available for net-zero carbon works, offering free phone advice on the contents of the guide. A more comprehensive pre-application advice service will be introduced in summer 2023. 

Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality, and Transport, said: “The climate emergency is an extremely pressing issue for people across the borough, and we know that many are determined to play their part in tackling it.  

“Our new guide is designed to make it easier for people and businesses to make their homes and buildings more eco-friendly, comfortable, and efficient – saving both emissions and money. 

“We will continue to do all we can to support local people and businesses to make the changes their need to create a greener Islington, and look forward to hearing your ideas, insights, and views.” 

As well as publishing the guide, the council is in the process of developing a new Net Zero Carbon Supplementary Planning Document, which will provide more detailed guidance.  To ensure this works as well as possible for people across the borough, the council will be directly engaging with local people and businesses to hear their views. If you’re interested in being consulted during the preparation of the document, please email NetZeroPlanning@Islington.gov.uk     

Reducing emissions at home is one of the many steps we can all take to creating a greener future. To get simple, tailored guidance on how you can reduce your emissions, and save money, use the carbon calculator on the council’s Together Greener website.