Solar panels in Deal's conservation areas

Guides · Deal, Kent CT14 · Last updated 12 October 2026

Conservation areas in Deal and Walmer.

Dover District Council has several conservation areas across Deal, Walmer and Kingsdown, including Middle Street, Upper Walmer, Nelson Street and Kingsdown. Whether your street is inside one, and whether the council has added extra controls there, is shown on the council's planning map. Check it before you order anything.

Where the panels can go.

Solar panels on a house or block of flats are normally permitted development, which means no planning application. The rules were tightened on 27 August 2026 (Statutory Instrument 2026/896). In a conservation area:

• Roof slopes - panels on the roof slope of an ordinary house or a house in a conservation area are not restricted because of the conservation status. Panels may stick out no more than 0.2m from a pitched roof slope. On a flat roof the limit is 0.6m above the highest point.
• Walls, balconies and roof enclosures facing the road - not permitted development in a conservation area. You need planning permission.
• Listed buildings - not permitted development. You need planning permission and, where it applies, listed building consent. The same goes for buildings within the grounds of a listed house.
• Ground-mounted panels - not permitted in the grounds of a listed building. In a conservation area, panels nearer the road than the house need the council's prior approval on appearance. There is a 9 square metre limit on the panel area.

Work that was already permitted before the change can carry on until the end of 26 August 2027. The Planning Portal has a plain-English page on solar panels and planning permission. If you are unsure, ask Dover District Council before you order.

Making a roof proposal easy to live with.

• Use rear or side slopes where the roof allows it.
• Keep the panels close to the roof surface, with no raised frames.
• Choose all-black panels if the roof is slate or dark tile.
• Route cables inside the building where possible, and put the inverter indoors.

How we approach it.

1. Survey the roof and check shading.
2. Draw up a panel layout showing which slopes, how many panels, the cable route and where the inverter goes.
3. Ask the council whether permission or listed building consent is needed. Check the council's own website for any fee.
4. Make the application if one is needed.
5. Install once you are clear to go. All solar installs are MCS-certified, with the certificate issued on completion, and we support your Smart Export Guarantee registration.

Prices, payback and the 0% VAT relief are on our solar PV and battery storage page.

Battery-only alternative.

If panels cannot go on your roof, a home battery on a cheap overnight rate can still save money by storing cheap power for the evening. It sits inside the house, so it avoids the roof questions above. If the building is listed, check with the council first.