Permitted Development Rights (PDR)
October 27, 2025
The Scottish Government’s Permitted Development Rights (PDR) consultation sought views on potential changes to planning rules to help tackle Scotland’s housing emergency and accelerate the rollout of low-carbon technologies, including air source heat pumps and heat networks.
SNIPEF welcomes efforts to streamline planning processes where it supports energy efficiency, decarbonisation, and access to affordable heating. Our submission focused on ensuring that any expansion of PDR maintains clear technical standards, protects consumers, and supports a skilled and qualified installer base.
We supported aligning Scottish regulations with UK-wide Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) standards to ensure consistency and consumer confidence. SNIPEF also backed proposals allowing up to two heat pumps on detached homes, provided flexibility for heating and cooling installations, and advocated for simpler processes to connect buildings to heat networks.
However, we emphasised that competence and certification must remain central to any changes. PDR reforms should enable faster deployment of low-carbon technologies while ensuring installations are carried out safely, professionally, and to the highest technical standards across all regions of Scotland.
