How to Apply for Planning Permission with a Cross-Pavement Solution
Credit: Charge Gully
As more people switch to electric vehicles (EVs), the need for home charging solutions has never been greater. Installing an electric car charger at home with a cross-pavement solution is a convenient and cost-effective way to keep your vehicle ready to go.
Here’s what you need to know before installing a home EV charger with a cross-pavement solution in the UK.
Do you need planning permission?
The planning requirements for installing electric vehicle home chargers depend on whether your property has off-street or on-street parking. If you have off-street parking, you will generally be able to install a home charger under permitted development rights. However, this may not apply if your property is a listed building or situated within a conservation area.
Permitted development rights do not apply to on-street parking. In these instances, you will need to obtain planning permission.
Homeowners without off-street parking can install an EV charger under permitted development rights, meaning no formal planning permission is required. However, there are specific conditions as below.
When installing a charger on a house, the 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.
When installing a charger on an upstand, the upstand and 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.
Permitted development rights may have been withdrawn through an Article 4 Direction. It’s important to check with your Local Planning Authority (LPA) to confirm whether this applies.
If the proposed work does not meet the requirements above, you will need to obtain planning permission. Alternatively, if you are unsure about the legality of the work, you can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate to clarify the situation.
Pre-planning advice provides an opportunity for the applicant to engage with the Local Planning Authority (LPA) before submitting a planning application. This advice can be obtained by contacting the LPA, with the cost varying based on the level of information needed. Fees and timescales differ from one LPA to another, so it is recommended to check your LPA’s website for specific details.
As cross-pavement solutions are usually installed for properties where homeowners don’t have off-street parking, in most cases planning permission will be needed.
Applying for planning permission
If planning permission is needed, the process involves submitting an application through your local planning authority (LPA). Here are the key steps:
Check local requirements. Each LPA may have slightly different guidelines. Checking their website or contacting them directly can clarify specific requirements.
Prepare a planning application. A standard planning application will normally require details of the charger and cross-pavement solution’s design, dimensions, and placement, site plans and photographs showing their location to the property to support the application.
Submit the application via the Planning Portal.
At Charge Gully, as part of our standard services we will provide you with the following documents to support your planning application:
Location plan (at scale 1:1250) containing continuous property red boundary line;
Credit: Charge Gully
Block plan (at scale 1:200 or 1:500) showing the proposed positions of the charger and gully;
Credit: Charge Gully
Street visuals
Credit: Charge Gully
Considerations for Homeowners
Beyond planning permissions, homeowners who install a cross-pavement solution should also think about the following:
Authorisation from the Local Authority: The Local Authority will need to approve the use of a cross-pavement solution before you are allowed to extend your cable from your house to your car parked in the street. You can check whether we are present in your Local Authority here.
Electrical supply: The home’s electrical system must support the charger’s power requirements. A qualified electrician can assess this.
Grant funding: The Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant for Households with On-Street Parking covers up to £350 of the cost of the home charger installation when installed alongside a cross-pavement solution like Charge Gully. Check full eligibility here.
Where you can install a charger: It is important to ensure that the charger is installed in a position that minimises trailing your charging cable before it reaches your cross-pavement solution.
For most homeowners, applying for a planning permission is relatively straight forward. Checking local regulations and submitting a well-prepared application can make the process smoother and help avoid delays.
Disclaimer
This guide serves as an introduction and should not be regarded as a comprehensive source of legal information. It is based on national regulations; however, additional local requirements may also apply. You should verify whether this is relevant in your area before submitting an application or commencing any work.
The guidance provided pertains to the planning system in England; policies in Wales may differ. If you're unsure, it's advisable to contact your local planning authority. Please be aware that some local authorities may charge a fee for providing pre-application advice.