From 21 October: new planning rules for home EV chargers on East Midlands streets without driveways
A new planning order in force on 21 October 2026 lets many homes without a driveway fit a charger and use a council-authorised pavement cable channel without a planning application. Here is what changes, what does not, and who to ask locally.
On Wednesday 21 October 2026 a new planning order comes into force in England that matters for anyone in the East Midlands who wants to charge an electric car at home but has no driveway. The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2026 was made on 25 September and laid before Parliament on 30 September.
What changes
Until now, the “permitted development” rights for home chargers only covered chargers in an area lawfully used for off-street parking. From 21 October they also cover any other area within the curtilage of a house or block of flats, such as a small front garden or the front wall of a terraced house.
Under the new route:
- a wall-mounted charger can be no more than 1.6 metres above ground, and only one charger per house or block of flats is allowed;
- if the wall sits right next to the road, the charger must not stick out more than 0.2 metres, and at least 1.5 metres of pavement must be left clear;
- where the cable crosses a pavement to your car, it must go through an authorised cross-pavement solution, a cable channel set into the pavement and installed by or with the permission of the highway authority.
The order also creates a separate permitted development right for those pavement channels themselves, when installed by, on behalf of, or with the authorisation of a highway authority.
What does not change
The new route does not apply in conservation areas, and neither the charger rights nor the channel right apply at listed buildings or scheduled monuments. Planning is also only one permission. You still need your highway authority’s agreement to put anything in or across the pavement, and your landlord’s or freeholder’s consent if you rent or live in a flat.
If a charger was allowed under the old rules but is not under the new ones, it can still be installed until the end of 20 October 2027.
Who to ask in the East Midlands
For pavement channels, your highway authority is the county council in most of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire. In Derby, Nottingham, Leicester and Stoke-on-Trent it is the city council. Ask what cross-pavement schemes they run or authorise before you book an installer.
Our guide Do I need planning permission for a home EV charger? covers the rules in more detail, and charging on a terraced street explains the practical options. If you rent or own a flat, the renters and flat owners chargepoint grant may help with the cost, and our grant checker takes under a minute.
This is a summary of the order as made, not legal advice. Check with your council if you are unsure.