What's this guide about?

A practical roadmap for councils to accelerate heat pump deployment

Domestic heat pumps are central to decarbonising heating across the UK. According to the Climate Change Committee, installations need to rise from 60,000 currently to 1.5 million by 2035 to achieve a fully decarbonised housing stock by 2050. Heat pumps can reduce household heating emissions by around 80%, making them one of the most effective low-carbon technologies councils can support.

This guide, developed collaboratively by UK100, Octopus Energy and local authorities that participated in discussions, focuses specifically on the role councils play in that process, particularly how planning and regulatory services manage domestic heat pump applications. Drawing on peer learning with local authorities across the UK, it sets out practical steps councils can take to improve consistency, reduce avoidable delays, and support a smoother experience for residents and installers.

Why do you need this guide?

It will help identify where the planning barriers lie

Around 30% of heat pump installations require some form of planning approval. Drawing on peer learning, this guide highlights where delays most commonly occur, including around noise assessments and shares practical approaches councils have used to reduce them.

It will outline practical steps your council can take

From establishing internal protocols between planning and Environmental Health teams, to procuring quality-assured installers, to creating Local Development Orders, this guide has concrete solutions that are mapped with ease of implementation and impact potential.

It shares real examples from councils across the UK

Case studies from councils show what collaborative approaches and practical tools look like in practice and the difference they make.

What's inside the guide?

Understanding the barriers: A clear-eyed look at the planning, noise, regulatory, financial and organisational challenges that slow deployment — and why they are interconnected.

Planning in practice - where delays occur: An account of where heat pump cases stall, from incomplete submissions to noise near-misses and practical ways to address them.

Solutions councils can act on now: Practical solutions that councils can adopt, categorised by ease of implementation, impact potential, and key considerations.

What national bodies and partners need to do: Local authorities can do a great deal within their existing powers, but some levers sit at national level. This section sets out what is needed from government, regulators and national bodies on planning standards, supply chain stability, training and funding clarity.

Need any support?

• For additional support or to share feedback on this guide, reach out to UK100: membership@uk100.org
• For practical support and guidance on heat pump deployment, visit Octopus Energy at https://octopus.energy/heat-pump-explore/