Politics & Council · Wiltshire-wide
Wiltshire residents in conservation areas face stricter EV charger planning rules
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
A significant change to national planning rules for home electric vehicle chargers will exclude thousands of residents living in Wiltshire conservation areas.
Thousands of residents across Wiltshire who wish to install electric vehicle chargers at home could face more complex planning hurdles than those in other parts of the country. A forthcoming national change, intended to simplify the process for installing pavement cable channels, will not apply to properties located within conservation areas.
From 21 October 2026, homeowners in England who lack off-street parking will generally be permitted to install a channel in the pavement for an electric vehicle charging cable without the need for a separate planning application, provided the local council has authorised the specific scheme. However, a last-minute policy change has exempted conservation areas from this streamlined process.
This development is particularly significant for Wiltshire, which holds the highest number of conservation areas of any county in England, with 89 in total. Many residents in towns including Swindon and Marlborough, as well as those in various villages across the county, will find themselves unable to benefit from the new simplified rules.
Under the existing and continuing requirements for these protected zones, homeowners who do not have their own driveway must pursue two separate planning applications. The first is required for the installation of the charger itself, while a second application must be made specifically for the authorisation of any cables running across, under or through the pavement.
For residents considering an installation, the local authority advises checking the precise planning status of their property before making any financial or logistical arrangements. Property owners should contact Wiltshire Council or the relevant local planning authority to confirm whether their home sits within a designated conservation area and to determine if a council-approved pavement-channel scheme is available in their immediate vicinity.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Lifestyle · View original