Permitted development, planning permission, the MCS 020 a) noise test and leasehold consent for air conditioning and heat pumps in England, explained.
Planning and rules
Since May 2025 the answer turns on one thing: whether the unit also heats. The permitted-development rules for England, flats, conservation areas and noise.
Planning and rules
How the MCS 020 a) sound calculation works, why the limit is now 37 dB(A), and the placement choices that decide whether an outdoor unit passes.
Planning and rules
Leases, freeholder consent, planning permission and where the outdoor unit can go: what it takes to cool a UK flat, and the options when you cannot fit one.
We use privacy-friendly analytics (no cookies, no personal data) to see which cooling guidance helps. Load it?