on UK Free TVThis Planning Guide is the Government's statement of good practice on the siting of satellite television dish antennas in England and Wales. It has been prepared with, and agreed by, representatives of the satellite television industry and local planning authorities.
The purpose of this guide is:
Before you buy or rent a dish, check whether you need planning permission, listed building consent or owner's/ landlord's consent.
Remember, you are responsible for the appropriate siting of satellite dishes; if you have any doubt, contact the planning department of your local council or seek independent professional advice.
Respect the environment. The cheapest option may not be the most environmentally friendly.
Don't forget that you are responsible for having it installed; poor siting may lead the council to require you to re-site the dish at your own expense.
Satellite TV technology continues to evolve: you should be aware of the different kinds of system so that you can make an informed choice.
A general permission exists under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, as amended by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) Order 1998 for satellite dishes in certain circumstances. These are explained below according to different house types and areas.
If you are a tenant or a leaseholder (i.e. you do not own the house you live in), then the landlord's or owner's consent to install a dish is usually required, unless it has already been given, as well as any other necessary permissions.
1 Do you live in a house that is not in a conservation area, a National park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the Norfolk Boards?
Then you do not need to apply for planning permission to install a dish on that house, provided that:
Then you do not need to apply for planning permission to install a dish, provided that:
Then you do not need to apply for planning permission to install a dish, provided that:
In the case of flats, these limits refer to the building as a whole and not to each separate flat. If, therefore, one flat dweller has already installed a dish, planning permission is required for further installations. However, in such a case, the flat dweller may wish to examine the possibility of a shared dish.
Your supplier or installer may generally be able to advise whether an application for planning permission is required for installing a dish in a particular place. If there is any doubt you should contact the planning department of your local council; the department provides application forms if planning permission is required.
It is your responsibility for seeking, or not seeking, planning permission. If required, planning permission should be granted before installation.
Size means the measurement across any dimension of the antenna (excluding any projecting feed element, the reinforcing rim and supporting brackets).
Some buildings are 'listed' because of their special historic or architectural interest. If you live in a 'listed building', you will need to consult your local planning department. The department can advise if the building is 'listed'. If it is, you will generally need to apply for 'listed building consent', if you wish to install a dish on that building. This consent is different from planning permission and must not be confused with it.
Listed building consent is required for any dish that affects the character or appearance of a listed building or its setting.
Do you need planning permission? Have a look at the visual guide available at the foot of this document.
It is a condition of installing a dish that you must site it in such a way that minimises its impact on the external appearance of the building and remove it when no longer needed.
You have the responsibility for the selection , the siting, the sympathetic appearance of any dish that you buy or rent.
In coming to a decision on the selection and siting of a dish, you should take account of its impact on the neighbours , the public , the environment.
The retailer or installer may be able to advise you on these matters, but if there is any doubt, then you should contact your local planning department.
Considerations for Selection, Siting and Appearance
Generally the environmental concern stems from poor selection or siting of a dish or from a dish colour and appearance that contrasts conspicuously with its background.
You are entitled to appeal if planning permission is sought and refused or if an enforcement notice is served. Grounds for an appeal could include your consideration that the chosen location is appropriate or that the measures required to be taken are excessive, perhaps giving rise to unreasonable costs.
Failure to comply with an enforcement notice is an offence which can lead to a fine, unless you have successfully appealed against it.
It is in your best interest to ensure the proper selection, siting and appearance of your dish from the beginning.
Your planning department, in seeking re-siting, should use these guidelines to show, on a diagram, reasonable measures that can be taken to achieve significantly less visible locations that satisfy line-of-sight requirements and picture quality. The council cannot use this power to deny you the right to install a dish; the purpose of this guide is to give guidance on how the regulations on siting will be interpreted.
You should remove any dish which is no longer needed, for example if you change from a dish to a cable system.

Suppliers and installers should be familiar with the planning and environmental aspects of installation.
You are strongly advised to obtain your satellite reception equipment from reputable suppliers, e.g. members of the Radio, Electrical and Television Retailers' Association (RETRA), other established companies, or, where appropriate, from the broadcaster.
You are also advised to use installers who are members of the Confederation of Aerial Industries Limited (CAI) or other professionally qualified installers who adhere to an appropriate Code of Practice in line with this Planning Guide.
Reputable installers should have agreed standards for their work, in some cases guaranteed by their company; they should also be covered by Public Liability and Employer's Liability insurance.
Obtain quotations for alternative siting options and costs (e.g. on rear wall) prior to installation.
Remember, the cheapest installation option may not be the most environmentally acceptable.
If you live in
Communal satellite TV systems are worth looking into if:
If you live in a tower block or large group of flats or houses, you should check first of all what provision, if any, has already been made for a communal system.
There may be a number of technical and cost options in establishing a communal system; professional advice should be obtained to ensure the chosen system offers the optimum choice of programmes at a reasonable price and with the capacity to accommodate future services.
If you live in a semi-detached or terraced house, it may be possible to develop a shared system but it may be more expensive than installing individual dishes. You may require legal advice on the conditions for sharing. In any event, you should ensure that any shared system provides access to all the desired programmes.
The same planning regulations apply to communal or shared dishes as apply to individual dishes.
It is the responsibility of the landlord or the building owner to decide whether or not to allow the installation of a communal satellite TV system and to obtain any licence. Guidelines on licensing are available from the Department of Trade and Industry and Ofcom. Enquiries should be made to those bodies at the addresses below.
You may wish to ask your council whether your area is served by cable television. This is particularly important where:
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