Wind power
Wind turbines harness the power of the wind to drive a turbine to generate electricity. Pole-mounted or building-mounted turbines are available for domestic premises. However, due to the urban nature of the borough, it is expected that wind turbines will rarely be viable for most properties in Hounslow.
Planning permission requirements
A wind turbine mounted on a detached house, on an outbuilding to any house, or a standalone turbine within the garden of any house or block of flats, may be included within permitted development rights if they meet MCS Planning Standards (check with the installers) and do not exceed the following limits:
- There must not already be a wind turbine or air source heat pump on the property
- The wind turbine (including blades) must not protrude more than 3 metres above the highest part of the roof of the property, nor exceed 15 metres in height (11.1m for a standalone turbine)
- The distance between ground level and the lowest part of the blade must be less than 5 metres
- All parts of an attached wind turbine (including blades) must be at least 5 metres within the boundary of a property; or, for standalone turbines, any part of the turbine (including blades) must be at least a distance equivalent to 110% of the overall height of the turbine (including blades) from any point along the property boundary
- The swept area of the blades must not exceed 3.8 metres
- The wind turbine must not be located on safeguarded land, within the curtilage of a listed building, on a site designated as an ancient monument
The blades of the turbine must be made of non-reflective materials, must be sited as best as possible to minimise the effect on the amenity of the area and must be removed when no longer used. Additional rules apply in conservation areas or if subject to other protections.
Given the potential to cause harm to neighbours’ amenity, turbines not covered by permitted development rules are unlikely to gain planning permission in urban settings. However, applications on large plots of land may be considered.
For further information, it is recommended you engage with the Council’s pre-application advice service.
