Planning Permission for Fuel Tanks

Generally, you won't need planning permission to install a fuel tank at your home, as this type of work is typically considered "permitted development." However, for your installation to be exempt from a full planning application, you must ensure it meets specific criteria and conditions.

• Your tank's total capacity must not go over 3,500 litres.

• You cannot position the tank in front of the "principal elevation" of your "original house." The principal elevation is the part of your home that faces the main road or public highway.

• The maximum height of the tank must be three metres overall.

• If you place the tank within two metres of any boundary of your property, its maximum height is reduced to 2.5 metres.

• The tank, when combined with any other additions or outbuildings on your property, must not cover more than half the total land area surrounding your "original house."

• For properties situated in certain protected areas (like National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and World Heritage Sites), a specific rule applies: if your tank is more than 20 metres from your house, the combined area of all buildings, enclosures, containers (including the fuel tank), and pools must not exceed 10 square metres.

• You are not permitted to install a tank at the side of properties located on what is defined as "designated land."

• If your property is a listed building, any fuel tank installation you undertake will always require you to obtain planning permission.

These permitted development rules cover both liquid petroleum gas (LPG) tanks and oil storage tanks.

Situations Where Permitted Development Rules Don't Apply

It's important to understand that the permitted development allowances discussed above are specifically for traditional houses. They do not extend to, and therefore you will always need planning permission for, installations at:

• Flats and maisonettes.

• Homes that have been created through specific 'permitted development' rights for 'Changes of use' (as detailed in Schedule 2, Part 3, Classes G; M; MA; N; P; PA and Q) or 'New Dwellinghouses' (Schedule 2, Part 20), or houses converted from other building types.

• Any other types of buildings apart from traditional houses.

• Locations where a planning condition, an Article 4 Direction (which is a special rule that removes permitted development rights), or other local restrictions are in place, limiting permitted development rights.

Important Definitions to Remember

To help you correctly apply these rules, here are a couple of important terms explained:

• Original house: This refers to your house as it was first built, or as it stood on 1 July 1948 if it was constructed before that date. It's crucial to remember that even if you haven't added an extension yourself, a previous owner might have, which affects the 'original house' footprint.

• Designated land: This term covers specific protected areas, including National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), conservation areas, and World Heritage Sites.

We highly recommend that you consult the government's comprehensive technical guidance document for householders. This provides in-depth information on how permitted development rules apply to various situations, helping you confirm if your specific circumstances are covered. You can find it here: Permitted Development Rights for Householders – Technical Guidance.