Can You Install an EV Charger Under Permitted Development?

Are you wondering if you can install an electric vehicle (EV) charger without jumping through a lot of planning hoops? The good news is, often you can! Many installations, specifically wall-mounted charging outlets (known as Class D) or freestanding charging upstands (Class E), fall under what's called 'permitted development'. This means you might not need to apply for full planning permission, provided you stick to certain conditions and limits.

Rules for Wall-Mounted Chargers (Class D)

If you're planning to attach an EV charger directly to a wall, here's what you need to know:

• The charger, including its casing, must not be larger than 0.2 cubic metres.

• You cannot install it if your property is located on the site of a scheduled monument (a nationally important historical site).

• Avoid installation within the curtilage – which is the land belonging to – a listed building.

Rules for Freestanding Chargers (Class E)

For those considering a freestanding EV charging upstand, these are the rules you must follow:

• The upstand and charger must not exceed 2.7 metres in height, measured from the parking surface. However, if your property is a dwellinghouse or a block of flats, this height limit drops to 1.6 metres.

• Just like wall-mounted units, you cannot place an upstand on a scheduled monument site.

• Similarly, you must not install it within the curtilage (the grounds) of a listed building.

• You are limited to providing only one upstand for each individual parking space.

What Happens When You Remove It?

If your Class D or Class E charging point is no longer required for electric vehicle charging, you are responsible for returning the wall (for Class D) or the land (for Class E) to its original state as quickly as possible.

Essential Checks Before You Start Your Installation

Before you pick up any tools, always make these crucial checks:

• Is your property situated within a conservation area?

• Does your property lie within the curtilage (grounds) of a listed building?

It's important to note that in conservation areas or other areas designated for their historical or architectural significance, your permitted development rights might be restricted or even completely removed. To clarify the situation for your specific location, you should contact your Local Planning Authority (LPA).

If your planned EV charger installation doesn't meet all the conditions we've outlined, or if you're unsure about the legality of your project, you'll need to submit a full planning permission application or seek a lawful development certificate.