Do you need planning permission for a wood-burning stove?

Wood-burning stoves, maximising heat output

There is a common misconception that those looking to install a wood-burning stove or multifuel stove will require planning permission from their local authority. Historically, yes you may well have required some kind of clearance from your local authority, but recent changes mean that in the vast majority of cases no formal planning permission will be required. There are still rules, regulations and guidelines but as long as you are sensible you will not require planning permission.

If you would like to contact us directly feel free to call on 01706 813393 or email us at sales@bowlandstoves.co.uk

Government guidance

The official guidance from the UK government suggests that planning consent is not required if the following conditions are adhered to:

•    The flue is situated at the rear or side of the building with maximum clearance of 1 m above the highest part of the roof.
•    Even if you have permitted development rights, if a building is listed or in a designated area it is sensible to check with your local planning authority about installing a flue. In the majority of cases further planning permission will not be required but it is better to be safe than sorry.
•    No flue should be fitted on the principle or the side elevation of a building that faces onto a highway.

Perfecting the draw on your wood-burning stove
Perfecting the draw on your wood-burning stove

There are other issues to take into consideration but these are the three core guidelines issued by the UK government when looking to install flues.

Building regulations are a whole different issue

Those who have looked at installing a wood-burning or multifuel stove will be well aware that your machine will need to be signed off by either the council’s building control department or a HETAS registered installer. This ensures that the installation abides by Building Regulations at the time as these are subject to variation.

In theory, anyone with experience could fit their own stove but it is far safer to employ the skills of a HETAS registered installer to ensure that everything is done properly and with maximum safety in mind. Over the years we have seen issues such as substandard flues, badly fitted stoves as well as potentially poisonous gases escaping into the locality. It is all good and well trying to save a few pounds on an installation but a stove installed by a qualified technician should last many years without any issues whatsoever. When you try and cut corners, you are potentially putting your life and the life of others at risk!

Common mistakes when installing a wood-burning stove

More eco-friendly regulations

There are many eco-friendly regulations expected to go live over the coming years with EU Ecodesign regulations already impacting the manufacturing side even know it is yet to be introduced in full. In many ways this shows the long-term thinking associated with many stove manufacturers, the fact there are already manufacturing products which abide by regulations which are not yet in place. There have also been murmurs of other eco-friendly regulations which may impact wood-burning and multifuel stoves – in particular smoke control areas.

In a worst-case scenario, a stove installed by an unqualified technician and not signed off by either a local council’s building control department or a HETAS engineer, could be ripped out. When you bear in mind the cost of products, time and labour, trying to cut corners and costs can prove to be extremely expensive in the long term!