Log burners are an more and more in style addition to properties, bringing heat, vitality effectivity, and a contact of rustic attraction. However earlier than you compromise in for cosy nights by the hearth, it’s important to know whether or not planning permission is required. This will rely upon numerous elements, resembling the kind of property you reside in – significantly if it’s a listed constructing – or should you’re in a conservation space.
Whether or not you are upgrading an current hearth or incorporating a log burner into a brand new extension, understanding the foundations and laws is essentialey. Whereas planning permission isn’t all the time obligatory, Constructing Laws should be adopted to make sure your range is put in safely and effectively.
So, do you want planning permission to put in a log burning range in your house? Learn on to seek out out what the specialists need to say.
Log burner planning permission
“If you happen to’re uncertain about whether or not planning permission is required, it is a good suggestion to test along with your native planning authority earlier than beginning any work putting in a log burner or establishing a brand new chimney,” explains Paula Higgins, Founder and CEO of HomeOwners Alliance. “They will present particular steerage primarily based in your location and the character of the challenge.”
Right here’s a common information that will help you decide whether or not planning permission is important to your log burner set up.
Paula Higgins
Paula Higgins is the founder and CEO of HomeOwners Alliance, which exists to restore belief in house possession, foyer for insurance policies and trade practices to get a greater deal for householders and those that aspire to personal. HomeOwners Alliance additionally offers sensible assist and assist to householders dealing with among the largest and most complicated selections of their lives.
Planning Permission for New Builds and Extensions
If you happen to’re planning a brand new construct or an extension, log burner set up won’t robotically be lined by your general planning utility. In accordance with Paula Higgins, “the set up of a wooden burner should adjust to Constructing Laws for chimneys, stoves and fireplaces (particularly Permitted Doc J), which governs security points resembling air flow and flue design.”
Higgins recommends hiring a HETAS-registered installer to make sure the log burner meets all the required laws. “In case your installer isn’t HETAS-registered, you’ll have to notify your native constructing management authority, who will examine the set up for compliance,” she explains. This further step can include extra prices, so it’s one thing to bear in mind throughout your challenge planning.
Changing an Present Fire with a Log Burner
Whereas open fires provide that conventional hearth look, when evaluating an open hearth vs a log burner, log burners are way more environment friendly. They provide superior warmth retention, eco-friendly gasoline consumption, and are significantly safer, as they cut back the chance of stray sparks and embers.
If you happen to’re pondering of changing a gasoline hearth with a log burner, the method may be easier than you anticipate. Planning permission is often not wanted for this sort of swap, however Jon Butterworth, Director of Arada Stoves, emphasises the significance of security. “Security ought to be your first precedence when putting in any equipment, none extra so than with a wood-burning or multi-fuel range,” he says.
Jon Butterworth
Jon Butterworth is Managing Director of Arada Stoves, one of many UK’s main suppliers of stoves together with stable gasoline, gasoline, boiler and bioethanol choices, in addition to out of doors merchandise too.
Placement is vital. Constructing Laws implement minimal distances between a wooden burning range and any close by surfaces to forestall hearth hazards. This distance can differ relying on the range mannequin, however usually, the minimal distance is round 150mm to 300mm from the perimeters and rear of the range to any flamable floor. For the entrance, there’s normally a minimal distance of 300mm to guard in opposition to sparks. It is best to all the time test the producer’s pointers, and a HETAS-registered installer will be capable of guarantee these distances are adhered to.
Air flow is one other key issue to contemplate. Log burner air flow necessities are ruled by Half J of Constructing Laws, which stipulates that stoves will need to have satisfactory air provide. “Ideally, the range ought to draw contemporary air from outdoors, immediately into the equipment, slightly than from the room itself,” Jon Butterworth explains. This not solely improves effectivity but additionally enhances security. Nevertheless, Jon factors out that “not all stoves have this selection, and never all Direct Air connections provide 100% of combustion air from the surface. 100% Direct Air stoves are sometimes called “Room Sealed” home equipment.”
“When changing an current hearth with a wooden burner, additionally, you will want to make sure that the chimney or flue is appropriate for the brand new range,” provides Paula Higgins, CEO of HomeOwners Alliance. “Chances are you’ll discover it obligatory to put in a flue liner.”
Listed buildings and conservation areas
For these dwelling in listed buildings or a delegated space like a conservation zone or Nationwide Park, stricter guidelines will apply. In accordance with Paula Higgins, “If you happen to dwell in a listed constructing, you have to listed constructing consent to make sure the set up preserves the historic and architectural integrity of the constructing. Chances are you’ll have to seek the advice of with conservation officers in your native authority or related our bodies like Historic England.”
Paula additionally notes that, “You’ll possible want planning permission to put in a log burner in a conservation space or Nationwide Park, as they’ll need to be sure that any exterior flues are discreet and applicable for the world.”
FAQs
Do you want planning permission to put in a log burner in a Smoke Management Space?
“If you happen to dwell in a Smoke Management Space, you’re restricted to putting in a Defra-exempt woodburner, which is authorized to be used in these areas, or you should use smokeless fuels,” explains Paula Higgins, CEO of HomeOwners Alliance. “Defra Smoke Management Areas are normally in city and densely populated areas. Cities resembling London, Birmingham, Manchester are designated as Defra Smoke Management Areas however it’s best to test along with your native authority.”
When do you require planning permission for a brand new chimney?
In case your log burner set up consists of the development of a brand new chimney, planning permission is required if the chimney exceeds one metre above the roofline. That is significantly vital in conservation areas, AONBs, or should you dwell in a listed constructing.
However apart from planning permission, relating to wooden burning range laws, you’ll want to contemplate your chimney and fireplace too. In accordance with Paula Higgins, “If there’s an current chimney, you have to to test for suitability and may have a liner to soundly deal with the woodburner’s operation.”
“Additionally, you will have to test your fireplace,” Paula provides. “That is the ground of your hearth and the place the wooden burning range will sit. Your range should be positioned on a non-combustible materials like granite, slate or glass. It’s additionally vital to test the scale of your range as a result of this may decide the scale and thickness of your fireplace so it doesn’t get too scorching.”
Is it costly to put in a log burner?
Log burner set up prices can differ relying on a number of elements, together with the kind of range, the complexity of the set up, and whether or not extra work, resembling chimney development, is required. On common, set up prices vary from £700-£3,500. Nevertheless, should you dwell in a listed constructing or conservation space, extra permissions and necessities might drive up the worth.