Do you need planning permission for an EV Charging Point?

Electric cars are increasingly popular, spurred on by the government’s aim to ban new petrol and diesel cars from 2030. And from 2022, electric car charging points will be legally required in new build homes. So do you need planning permission for an EV charging point in your home?

Do I need to planning permission to install a wall mounted electrical outlet? 

Schedule 2, Part 2, Class D of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) states that planning permission is not required for the installation of a wall mounted electrical outlet for recharging of electric vehicles as long as the area is lawfully used for off–street parking.

For installation to be classed as permitted development, the electrical outlet (and its casing) must not:

  • Exceed 0.2 cubic metres
  • Face onto and be within two metres of a highway
  • Be within a site designated as a scheduled monument
  • Be within the curtilage of a listed building.

Other considerations apply (see below), so it is always worth checking with your local planning team before installing an EV charging point.

Do I need to planning permission to install an upstand with an electrical outlet mounted on it?

Schedule 2, Part 2, Class E of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) states that planning permission is not required for the installation of an upstand with an electrical outlet mounted on it for recharging electric vehicles, as long as the area is lawfully used for off–street parking.

For installation to be classed as permitted development, the electrical upstand and the outlet must not:

  • Exceed 2.3 metres in height from the level of the surface used for the parking of vehicles. This limit is 1.6 metres where in the curtilage of a dwellinghouse or block of flats
  • Be within two metres of a highway
  • Be within a site designated as a scheduled monument
  • Be within the curtilage of a listed building
  • Result in more than one upstand being provided for each parking space.

For Class D and E, when the electrical outlet is no longer required as a charging point for electric vehicles, the wall (on which the outlet was mounted) or the land (on which the upstand was placed) must be returned to its previous condition (prior to the installation being carried out) as soon as possible.

As mentioned above, planning regulations can be complex and other considerations may apply, so it is always worth checking with your local planning team before installing an EV charging point.

When might I need Planning Permission to install and EV Charging Point?

If the property is in a Conservation Area or near a Heritage Asset, like a Listed Building, you may need to apply for planning permission. The same applies to ‘designated land’ i.e., National Parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.

If the EV installation point could negatively impact on the living space of your neighbours, you should seek approval first. Neighbours will still be consulted and can raise objections to extensions under the ‘Neighbour Consultation Scheme’.

As previously stated, it is always worth checking with your planning team before installing an EV Charging point.

What else might I need to consider?

If your property is listed (rather than just being in a conservation area) you need Listed Building Consent for any alterations (including internal alterations) which might be considered to affect the character of your property as a building of architectural or historic importance.

Some properties are built with restrictive covenants on them, a private agreement in the title deeds which outlines ways in which they may and may not be used or developed.

Do you own the property? If you are renting the property you will need to get written consent from the owner before installing an EV charging point. Similarly, if you have a leasehold agreement, you may need to check with the freeholder before undertaking any works, as they could make you revert the property back to how it originally was, and you will be liable for all costs.

You don’t always need a town planner, If you’re not sure if you need help from a Town Planner take a look at blog on When to Hire a Town Planner our download a Guide on How to Choose a Town Planner and if you do need some assistance with your development proposal, CONTACT US.

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You might find our eBook  The Basics of Permitted Development and Use Class useful.

EV charging point