A free guide explaining the planning routes for residential and commercial solar panels

While many solar installations can proceed without full planning permission, there are important rules that commercial and residential property owners should understand before work begins.

Listed buildings, conservation areas and larger commercial systems may require additional planning approvals, while obtaining a Lawful Development Certificate can often provide valuable reassurance when selling, refinancing or leasing a property.

Our guide explains:

• When solar panels qualify as permitted development and when further approvals are needed
• The difference between Permitted Development, Prior Approval, Lawful Development Certificates and Full Planning Permission
• The key planning considerations for domestic, commercial and agricultural solar installations
• Common planning challenges, including heritage constraints, glint and glare assessments and retrospective applications
• The five-step process for taking a solar project from concept to installation

Prepared by the planning specialists at Squires Planning, this guide has been designed for homeowners, businesses, landowners, developers and property managers considering solar installations of any scale.

• Whether your project can proceed under permitted development rights
• When a Lawful Development Certificate is worth obtaining
• Which commercial solar projects require Prior Approval before installation
• How planning rules differ for listed buildings and conservation areas
• The practical steps needed to ensure your installation is fully compliant

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