The
law places householders under a general obligation to install a satellite
dish in such a way that the impact on the external appearance of the
building is minimised. Dishes no longer in use should be removed. The
Government cautions householders that, in coming to a decision on the
selection and siting of a dish, they should take account of its impact
on neighbours, on the general public, and on the environment. The Government
also gives the following advice:
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A
white dish may blend against a white background, but may be conspicuous
against a darker background; |
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A
mesh or transparent dish might be less obtrusive than a solid one; |
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The
location of a dish on a rear wall of the building, or in the garden
hidden by shrubs, is usually less conspicuous than siting it on
the front of the building; |
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The
performance of a dish is not affected by whether it is located high
up or low down on a building, as long as the line-of-sight to the
satellite is not obscured; |
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A
small dish hidden behind a parapet wall or a chimney stack may be
less conspicuous than one on the wall; |
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Dishes
are available in a range of makes and appearances; the choice is
therefore important. |
The law is framed to discourage the occupiers of flats from installing
individual dishes. A dish on most flats will need planning permission
unless it is the first dish on the building as a whole. This is intended
to prevent blocks of flats from becoming disfigured by ‘rashes’
of satellite dishes.Is
planning permission needed?
Size of dish
Reference to the size of a dish means the measurement across any dimension
of the antenna, excluding any projecting feed element, the reinforcing
rim, and supporting bracketry.
Conservation areas
The rules are different in Conservation Areas. If you are not sure whether
you live in a Conservation Area ask the Planning Dept of your local
council.
Listed Buildings
If your house is ‘listed’ as a building of special architectural
or historic importance you will need Listed Building Consent for any
satellite dish, even if planning permission is not needed. If you are
not sure whether your house is listed ask the Planning Dept of your
local council. Special application forms are available, and you will
also need to submit plans showing exactly where on the building you
intend to install the dish.
Council tenants and tenants of privately rented property
Most local councils and landlords require tenants to apply for permission
to install a satellite dish. This is separate from planning permission.
Installation
examples
1. |
A
dish on a wall or roof slope of a house that is not in a Conservation
Area, or a dish on an outbuilding or in the garden of such a house.
Planning permission is not needed for a dish that is less than 90cm
(2ft 11ins) in size, does not protrude above the ridge of the roof,
and is the first dish on that house or property.
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2. |
A
dish on the chimney stack of a house that is not in a conservation
area.
Planning permission is not needed for a dish that is less than 45cm
(1ft 6ins) in size, is not higher than the highest part of the stack,
and is the first dish on that house.
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3. |
A
dish on any flat over a commercial property (such as a shop, club,
or pub) whether or not it is in a Conservation Area.
Planning permission is not needed for a dish that is less than 90cm
(2ft 11ins) in size, is not on a chimney stack, is not on a wall
or roof slope facing a road or public footpath, does not protrude
above the ridge of the roof, and is the first dish on the building
as a whole.
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4. |
A
dish on any flat in a block of flats that is less than 15 metres
(about five storeys) high whether or not it is in a conservation
area.
Planning permission is not needed for a dish that is less than 90cm
(2ft 11ins) in size, is not on a wall or roof slope facing a road
or public footpath, and is the first dish on the building as a whole.
|
5. |
A
dish on any flat in a block of flats that is more than 15 metres
(about five storeys) high whether or not it is in a conservation
area.
Planning permission is not needed for a dish that is less than 90cm
(2ft 11ins) in size, is not on a wall or roof slope facing a road
or public footpath, and is the first or second dish on the building
as a whole.
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6. |
A
dish on the chimney stack of a house in a Conservation Area.
Planning permission is needed.
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7. |
A dish on a wall or roof slope of a house in a Conservation
Area, which faces a road or public footpath.
Planning permission is needed.
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8. |
A
dish on a wall or roof slope of a house in a Conservation Area,
which does not face a road or public footpath.
Planning permission is not needed for a dish that is less than 90cm
(2ft 11ins) in size, does not protrude above the ridge of the roof,
and is the first dish on that house.
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Feb 2007: Updated information
1) Houses and buildings up to 15 metres high.
Unless your house (or the building in which you live) is in a designated area (i.e. Conservation Area), you do not need to apply for planning permission to install an antenna on your property, as long as:
- there will be no more than two antennas on the property overall;
- if you are installing a single antenna, it is not more than 100 cm in any linear dimension (not including any projecting feed element, reinforcing rim, mounting and brackets);
- if you are installing two antennas, one is not more than 100 cm in any linear dimension, and the other is not more than 60 cm in any linear dimension (not including any projecting feed element, reinforcing rim, mounting and brackets);
- the cubic capacity of each individual antenna is not more than 35 litres;
- an antenna fitted onto a chimney stack is not more than 60 cm in any linear dimension; and
- an antenna mounted on the roof only sticks out above the roof when there is a chimney-stack. In this case, the antenna should not stick out more than 60 cm above the highest part of the roof, or above the highest part of the chimney stack, whichever is lower.
In the case of a house (or the building in which you live) being located in a designated area (Conservation Area) you do not need to apply for planning permission to install an antenna on your property, as long as the above is met and:
- an antenna is not installed on a chimney, wall, or roof slope which faces onto, and is visible from, a road or a Broads waterway.
2) Buildings 15 metres or more in height.
Unless your building is in a designated area (i.e. Conservation Area), you do not need to apply for planning permission to install an antenna on your property, as long as:
- there will be no more than four antennas on the property overall;
- the size of any antenna is not more than 130 cm in any linear dimension (not including any projecting feed element, reinforcing rim, mounting and brackets);
- the cubic capacity of each individual antenna is not more than 35 litres;
- an antenna fitted onto a chimney stack is not more than 60 cm in any linear dimension; and
- an antenna mounted on the roof does not stick out above the roof more than 300 cm above the highest part of the roof.
In the case of a building being located in a designated area (Conservation Area) you do not need to apply for planning permission to install an antenna on your property, as long as the above is met and:
- an antenna is not installed on a chimney, wall, or roof slope which faces onto, and is visible from, a road or a Broads waterway.
Definitions:
- Linear dimension: This means taking the measurement in a straight line, starting from the edge of the antenna to the opposite edge of the antenna. The measurement should only include the antenna itself and not any attachment needed to fix it to the wall or roof, or connect it up to your equipment.
- Projecting feed element: In a dish antenna, the incoming signals are received by the dish which then 'reflects' the signal into a central 'feed horn'. This is usually positioned at a short distance (a few inches) away from the dish and held in place by projecting arm or arms.
- Cubic capacity: This means the volume (the amount in three dimensions) occupied by an object using known method of measurement.
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