When You Need Full Planning Permission for Your EV Charger

You’ll need to submit a full planning application if your electric vehicle (EV) charger installation doesn't qualify for automatic approval under what's known as 'permitted development rights'. For most homeowners, this usually means applying for householder planning permission, although the process might differ for larger developments.

Installing a home charger is considered a building project, and you, as the homeowner, are responsible for ensuring all required approvals are in place before you make any changes. You can hire a professional to assist you with preparing your application. If you proceed without the correct permissions, the authorities could take enforcement action against you.

You will typically need to get full planning permission in the following situations:

• If you are installing a charger for a vehicle that parks on the public road.

• If your property is situated within a protected conservation area or is a listed building.

• If your installation is planned for an area where EV charger placement is specifically limited or restricted.

• If you intend to install more than one charging point for a single parking bay.

Making Your Application Successful

To boost the likelihood of your planning application for an EV home charger being approved, it’s important to show that your development will have the least possible visual impact on the surrounding area. Here are some ways you can achieve this:

• Position the charging point so it's subtle and blends in well, perhaps by placing it on the side of your house or tucked away on a porch.

• Use natural landscaping, such as plants or bushes, to help conceal it from view.

It can also be helpful to highlight the environmental advantages of installing an EV home charger. These benefits might be considered "material considerations" – meaning factors your local council's planning department (LPA) can take into account when making their decision, especially for bigger or more intricate cases. We recommend discussing this with your LPA before submitting your application to understand if they will deem it a relevant factor.

If your property is in a protected area, such as a Conservation Area, any approved application will likely come with specific rules or conditions regarding the charger's size, how it looks, and where it's positioned.

What Happens if Your Application is Refused?

Should your application be rejected, you might consider submitting a new one. It’s a good idea to incorporate any suggestions or recommendations provided by the Planning Officer in your revised plans. While you have the right to challenge the decision by appealing against it, this step should generally be viewed as a final option.

You may discover that installing an EV home charger isn't possible for your property due to planning restrictions. In such instances, you should explore alternative charging solutions, like public charging points or those available at your workplace. If there are no public charging facilities in your area, consider contacting your local council to inquire about the potential installation of public charge points.