The Government has scrapped the requirement that households must obtain planning permission before installing a new heat pump near a neighbour from 29 May.

The restriction that heat pumps need to be one metre from a neighbour's property has been ditched as the Government scrambles to try and meet its self-imposed target for alternative heating systems under its Warm Homes Plan.

However, none of the issues with noise have been addressed, such as effective acoustic baffling, and none of the changes will solve the issues with older, rented or high-rise properties. Noise levels, although reduced in more modern pumps, are often still problematic because of siting or the lack of skilled understanding of acoustics.

Existing gas boilers are estimated to make up 0.1 per cent of global warming, which could be reduced if the grid were fully renewable.

Where the change might produce benefits is in allowing terraced housing to move to heat pump technology,

The changes also provide for a greater range in the size and number of heat pumps that can be installed.

---