Planning permission
You do not require planning permission to install a solid fuel (coal or wood) domestic heating appliance, provided that:
- your property is not registered as a listed building or place (LBP) or a potential listed building or place (pLBP)
- you are not introducing a new external flue / chimney
- you are not altering the appearance, size or placement of any existing flue / chimney
Note: Some domestic flues, chimneys and vents do not require planning permission. See separate page "Domestic gas and oil fired boilers, vents and flues"
Domestic gas and oil fired boilers, vents and flues
Is my building or site protected?
Building permission
You will not require building permission to install a woodburning or multi-fuel stove provided the work is undertaken by a HETAS registered technician (Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme).
HETAS members are approved to certify that their work meets building regulations and they will issue a certificate to confirm the appliance has been installed in accordance with the building bye-laws.
Copies of the certificate must be provided to:
- the householder
- the competent persons scheme operator
- the building control department
A list of currently registered engineers is available on the HETAS Ltd website.
HETAS website
What if I want to use a non-registered installer to undertake the work?
If you employ an installer who is not registered with HETAS, you will need to make a building application. Guidance on how to comply with the relevant bye-law requirements can be found in Combustion appliances approved document J.
Technical guidance document 3 (2011 edition
B4 solid fuel fire, stove and heating boiler application form