England drops planning permission for cross-pavement charging channels

Since October 21, 2026, households in England can install a cross-pavement charging channel without applying for planning permission. The channel is a gully set into the pavement that carries the cable from a home charger to a car parked on the street, so the cable no longer lies across the footpath. The new permitted development rights cover both the channel and the home charge point that goes with it. The Department for Transport confirmed the change in September after a consultation.

Planning was one of several approvals. Installations still need authorisation from the highway authority, which keeps overseeing them under Section 178 of the Highways Act 1980, and street works permissions where they apply. Listed buildings and certain protected sites stay excluded. The government estimates the change saves households up to £300 in installation costs. Before it, planning permission could be needed before a household qualified for support from the £25 million Pavement Channels Grant, which since 2025 helps local authorities install channels for residents without off-street parking.

What it means

More homes without a driveway become home-charging jobs, with the charger on the house and the car on the street. These are domestic connections, so the fuse sets the limit. On Plugchoice, smart charging runs in the platform over OCPP: dynamic load balancing keeps the charger under the household fuse with a meter, and charging can follow a day and night schedule or hourly prices on a dynamic UK tariff.

Sources: electrive, October 21, 2026, electrive, September 15, 2026.