Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the guidance his Department provides on heat sources takes into account the noise pollution levels of those heat sources.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has commissioned an independent review of heat pump noise emissions. This will determine whether existing permitted development rights are appropriate and in line with advances in heat pump technology. The review will likely conclude in the Autumn and the Government will then consider this evidence to determine whether changes to planning guidance and permitted development rights are warranted. The review does not consider hydrogen boilers, as any noise emissions from them, should they be rolled out, would be largely confined to inside the home, and therefore would not impact permitted development rights.