Most commercial wind turbines in England currently require full planning permission. A March 2026 government proposal would change this for turbines up to 30m — it has not yet become law.
Planning consent requirements for commercial energy infrastructure vary by technology, location, and property type. The rules for wind turbines, battery storage, and solar installations are different — and the wind turbine rules in England are the most commonly misunderstood.
The short answer: battery storage on a commercial property in England is typically permitted development (no formal planning permission needed). Wind turbines on commercial properties currently require full planning permission in most cases. This may change — but as of August 2026, the change has not been enacted.
Commercial battery energy storage systems in England are treated as plant and machinery for planning purposes. Under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, Class A of Schedule 2 permits the installation of plant and machinery on industrial and commercial sites within defined limits. Battery storage units installed in plant rooms, in external enclosures, or on rooftops within the building's existing footprint typically fall within this permitted development right.
Exceptions apply for listed buildings, conservation areas, and sites subject to Article 4 directions removing permitted development rights. These are site-specific and identified during the planning assessment.
In Sweden, BESS installations below defined thresholds can proceed under building notification (bygglov anmälan) rather than full planning permission, depending on municipality.
With limited exceptions, commercial wind turbines in England require full planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Schedule 2, Part 14 of the GPDO 2015. The current permitted development right for wind turbines allows installation of a single small turbine (up to 15m or the height of the building, whichever is greater) on a commercial or industrial site — but the limitations are significant enough that most commercial turbine sizes fall outside permitted development.
A full planning application for a commercial wind turbine in England typically takes eight to thirteen weeks from submission to decision, assuming a standard application without significant consultation requirements. Applications in conservation areas, adjacent to listed buildings, or on sites within designated landscapes (National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) face additional constraints and longer timelines.
In March 2026, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) published a consultation proposing an extension of permitted development rights for onshore wind turbines. The key element relevant to commercial property owners: single turbines up to 30m in height on commercial and public premises would be permitted development — removing the need for a full planning application.
This is a proposal, not enacted law. The consultation period closed in May 2026. Secondary legislation is required to bring the change into effect; as of August 2026, this legislation has not been passed. HNordic tracks this and will advise clients on the current position at the time of their site assessment.
If enacted, the proposal would significantly reduce the planning timeline for most commercial turbine installations: from eight to thirteen weeks for a full application to a notification-only process of a few weeks.
The planning treatment of a rooftop-mounted VAWT and a ground-mounted standalone turbine differs in practice. Rooftop-mounted turbines can in some cases be assessed as building-mounted equipment — a different planning class from a standalone turbine. Height calculation (turbine height above ground level versus height above the roofline) affects which planning rules apply. VAWTs, which sit closer to the roofline than horizontal-axis turbines of equivalent capacity, sometimes achieve more favourable treatment under height-based planning rules.
Ground-mounted standalone turbines almost always require full planning permission regardless of turbine type or capacity. The site assessment identifies which mounting approach is appropriate for the specific property and its planning context.
The planning assessment is included in HNordic's site assessment. The property owner does not need to determine the planning position independently. Where a full planning application is required, HNordic manages the application process — design drawings, heritage and ecology assessments where required, community consultation, and submission to the relevant local planning authority. The planning timeline is incorporated into the project programme at the start of the process.
In Sweden, HNordic handles the bygglov notification or permit application depending on turbine height and municipality.
See also: How long does a HNordic installation take? · What types of commercial property qualify? · Full FAQ