Warehouse Solar Planning Permission: 2023 Changes Explained

In March 2023, the UK Government announced amendments to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015. The key change: the removal of the 1MW capacity limit for solar installations on non-domestic buildings, including warehouses, factories, and distribution centres.

Previously, any solar installation exceeding 1MW required a full planning application. For large warehouses with 50,000+ sq ft of roof space, this was a significant barrier. A 50,000 sq ft warehouse can support a system of approximately 750kW-1.2MW, meaning many were artificially limited by planning rules rather than physical constraints.

The change was part of the Government's response to the energy crisis and its commitment to solar deployment targets. The UK aims for 70GW of solar capacity by 2035, and removing planning barriers for commercial rooftop solar is essential to reaching that goal.

Listed buildings always require listed building consent for any external alterations, including solar panel installation. If your warehouse is listed (rare but possible for converted historic buildings), you must apply through your local planning authority.

Buildings in conservation areas, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), National Parks, the Broads, and World Heritage Sites may have additional restrictions. In these designated areas, permitted development rights can be more limited, and you should check with your local authority before proceeding.

Ground-mounted solar arrays adjacent to your warehouse (rather than rooftop) may require planning permission if they exceed certain size thresholds or are in sensitive locations. Ground-mounted systems under 9m² in designated areas and under 25m² elsewhere are generally permitted.

If your warehouse has restrictive planning conditions attached to its original consent, these may limit permitted development rights. Check your original planning permission documentation or contact your local planning authority to confirm.

For very large warehouse solar installations (typically those forming part of wider development schemes), an Environmental Impact Assessment screening opinion may be requested by the local planning authority. In practice, this is extremely rare for rooftop solar because it does not change the building footprint or land use.

Ecological considerations may arise if your warehouse roof hosts protected species, particularly nesting birds or bat roosts. A preliminary ecological appraisal is recommended for older warehouses with features that could support wildlife. If protected species are found, Natural England must be consulted and appropriate mitigation measures implemented.

Glare assessment is occasionally required for warehouses near airports, airfields, or major roads. Anti-reflective coated panels and careful orientation design can eliminate glare issues. Most modern solar panels have less than 2% reflectance, making them less reflective than glass windows.