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Homeowners ordered to rip out air con units despite rising temperatures

In most cases, you do not need planning permission to install air con in your home, unless you live in a flat or listed building

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Air con units are still relatively uncommon in UK homes(Image: Getty Images)

Councils have reportedly ordered some homeowners to rip out their air con units over climate fears.

Planning officers say they emit too much carbon dioxide and should only be used as a last resort - for example, when other methods such as open windows are not effective.

It comes after a record temperature for June of 36.7C was recorded on Thursday afternoon in Merryfield, Somerset.

The Telegraph reported a case where one person in North London was forced to remove two air-con units from the back of their home.

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In an appeal, the resident was told to open the windows and balcony doors of their first-floor flat to cool the property down by natural means.

In most cases, you do not need planning permission to install air con in your home, unless you live in a flat or listed building. It is estimated that less than 5% of UK homes have air con.

Another resident was ordered to remove three units, though they later won an appeal because the property had other eco upgrades such as solar panels.

A Camden council spokesman told the newspaper its planning policies prioritised simpler, low-energy ways of keeping homes cool.

They added: Residents seeking planning permission need to demonstrate that alternative, more climate-friendly measures are not suitable, and that units will not create noise or other harmful impacts on neighbours.

Enforcement action in these cases is rare and used only as a last resort where this guidance has not been followed.

The Telegraph reports that other London councils are following similar rules.

A spokesperson from the Mayor of London said: Local planning decisions are the responsibility of the boroughs, who have their own policies in place.

The current London Plan does not rule out air conditioning its policy is only applicable to major developments and requires new developments to address overheating risk from the outset through measures such as shading, ventilation and other cooling design features.

These features help keep homes cooler without relying on energy-intensive solutions, helping Londoners stay comfortable while keeping energy bills down.

A Government spokesperson said: "Air conditioning units are not banned. They can be installed in both existing and new homes and we expect councils to take a common-sense approach to the rules around this, which are there to manage the interests of communities and the environment.

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