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Plant, ventilation, extraction and air conditioning equipment and planning permission

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Plant, ventilation, extraction and air conditioning equipment and planning permission

You can use our new tool to check if your project needs planning permission.

You must apply for full planning permission to install, alter, replace or move plant, air conditioning, ventilation or extraction equipment. This is where any part of the equipment will be fixed to the outside of the property.

If the property is a listed building (or part of) and the equipment will be fixed to either the internal or external walls, you must also apply for listed building consent.

Very small external equipment may not need planning permission if it does not change the external appearance of the property very much.  An example might be a small extractor fan that cannot be seen from the surrounding streets.

More information

You must send a noise, vibration and ventilation assessment with a planning application. This is for the installation, alteration or replacement of plant, ventilation, extraction or air conditioning equipment. 

Can I get confirmation that I do not need planning permission?

Apply for a Lawful Development Certificate to prove an existing or proposed piece of equipment is lawful. 

Am I likely to get planning permission?

If you want to find out whether your proposal is likely to be accepted, you can apply for pre-planning application advice.

How do I apply?

You can apply via the national planning portal. To find out what information is required with your application, see making a planning application.

Still not sure whether you need planning permission?

If you need further advice about whether you need planning permission, contact planning advice and information.