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Chimneys, flues, soil and vent pipes and planning permission

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Chimneys, flues, soil and vent pipes and planning permission

You can use our new tool to check if your project needs planning permission.

Flats

You must apply for full planning permission to install, alter or replace a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe.

If your flat is a listed building (or part of), you must apply for listed building consent for this.

Houses

You must apply for householder planning permission if any of the following apply:

  • it will be 1m higher than the highest part of the roof
  • it will be installed on a house in a conservation area or covered by an Article 4 Direction. In this case you must apply if:
    • it is on a wall or roof slope which forms the principal or side elevation and faces the road.

If your house is a listed building (or part of), you must apply for listed building consent. This is to install, alter or replace a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe.

More information

You can get guidance and useful information from: 

The flue, chimney or soil and vent pipe section of the national planning portal.

Can I get confirmation that I do not need planning permission?

You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) to prove that an existing or a proposed chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe is lawful.

Apply for a Lawful Development Certificate to prove a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe is lawful. This is both for existing or proposed structures.

Am I likely to get planning permission?

To find out whether your proposal is likely to be accepted, you can apply for pre-planning application advice.

How do I apply?

You can apply via the national planning portal. To find out what information is required with your application, see making a planning application.

Still not sure whether you need planning permission?

If you need further advice about whether you need planning permission, contact planning advice and information.