Retrofit Planning Considerations

Significant alterations to a home's external character usually require planning permission, especially in Conservation Areas or places with restricted development rights. Listed Buildings (Grade II, Grade II*, or Grade I) typically require Listed Building Consent for interior and exterior changes.

Conservation areas  are areas of special architectural or historic interest whose appearance and character we want to preserve or enhance. You can read more about them on the Historic England site . There are 27 conservation areas  in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, covering 7.4% of the borough (about 277 hectares) and containing over 6000 postal addresses. You can see the boundaries of conservation areas, buildings of townscape merit and listed buildings on our heritage map .

Certain types of work will need our approval in conservation areas, where normally they wouldn't. Some conservation areas have detailed background information and associated special studies. This includes if you would like to make an external alteration. 

If you are the homeowner of a listed building, you will need to apply for listed building consent if you would like to carry out internal or external works to your property that affects its special architectural or historic interest.

If you have any planning queries in relation to proposed retrofit works in Kingston contact our Planning team by submitting a planning general enquiry .  

Historic England has a growing series of technical advice on retrofit and energy efficiency in historic buildings. In addition, the Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance , supported by Historic England, has a number of useful resources and tools in the  Responsible Retrofit Knowledge Centre .

In Conservation Areas the design and siting of external energy generation equipment, such as photovoltaic and solar thermal panels, heat pumps and turbines, should be carefully considered so as to limit their visual impact on the Conservation Area’s character and appearance. 

Permitted development rights allow for the installation of these fixtures on dwelling houses or blocks of flats, providing they are within certain parameters, and certain conditions are met. This includes being sited to minimise its effect on the external appearance of a building, and the amenity of the area. 

A full list of the terms and conditions can be found in Part 14 (Renewable Energy) of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 .

If you have any planning queries in relation to proposed retrofit works in Kingston, contact our Planning team by submitting a planning general enquiry.