Air conditioning in Marlow

A medieval river town on the Thames

Marlow grew up at a crossing of the River Thames. In the early 13th century, if not before, a planned town was laid out along High Street, West Street, Spittal Street and probably Chapel Street, with long, narrow burgage plots running back from the road. St Peter Street and the river frontage are older and less regular.

The council's character survey describes three clear phases. The medieval core was refronted in Georgian times, when fine riverside houses such as Court Garden were built. Then came Victorian and Edwardian streets east of the High Street, which grew partly after the branch railway arrived from Maidenhead via Bourne End.

The High Street ends at the Grade I listed suspension bridge by William Tierney Clark. The former Wethered Brewery buildings on the west side of the High Street were kept when the site was converted to homes.

Marlow homes and what they mean for an install

Planning and the Marlow conservation area

Planning in Marlow goes to Buckinghamshire Council, which replaced Wycombe District Council in April 2020. The old Wycombe plan still applies until the new Local Plan for Buckinghamshire is adopted. Bisham, over the bridge, is in Berkshire: planning there goes to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

Buckinghamshire County Council first designated the Marlow conservation area in March 1969, and Wycombe District Council later extended and revised it. It now covers the historic core, the river frontage, Lock Island and the best of the Victorian and Edwardian streets to the east. Little Marlow has its own conservation area.

A heating-capable unit on a house is often permitted development if it meets the limits on size, position and noise. A cooling-only unit, a listed building, or a unit on a road-facing wall or roof in a conservation area needs permission. Our planning guide explains each rule.

Homes near the river and the Chilterns edge

Marlow has a history of flooding from the Thames. The Environment Agency recorded floods in 2003, 2012 and 2014, when 23 properties flooded. Its Marlow flood alleviation scheme was designed to reduce the impact of flooding for 287 properties, with defences and groundwater pumps at Firview Close, Gossmore Lane and Pound Lane.

If you live near the river, check your address on the government's long-term flood risk service before you book. Where there is a risk, we can mount the outdoor unit on a wall bracket or raised stand rather than at ground level.

To the north, Marlow Bottom and the wooded hills lie in the Chilterns National Landscape, called the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty until November 2023, and the countryside around the town is Green Belt. Neither adds a separate limit to the Class G heat pump rules.

Air conditioning for Marlow businesses

We fit and service systems for shops, restaurants, cafes, salons and offices in the town centre, and for offices and units on business parks such as Globe Park and Marlow International on Parkway. Ceiling cassettes suit open-plan offices with suspended ceilings; wall units suit smaller rooms.

Commercial installs are done in business hours. We service most brands, including systems another company fitted, and can look after several sites under one maintenance contract.

Parking on install day

Buckinghamshire Council runs on-street permit zones in parts of Marlow. Permits are digital through MiPermit and only work in their own zone. The old town streets are tight, so tell us when you book if your street is in a zone and we'll plan where the van parks.

What air conditioning costs in Marlow

Our starting prices are the same here as across Buckinghamshire and London. Home prices include VAT; business prices are plus VAT. You get a fixed written price after the survey.

• A bedroom or study

  2.5 kW wall unit, 5 m pipe, fitted in a day

  from£1,850inc. VAT

• A living room

  3.5 kW wall unit

  from£2,050inc. VAT

• Two rooms, one outdoor unit

  Multi-split

  from£3,650inc. VAT

• Three rooms

  Multi-split

  from£5,100inc. VAT

• Premium range upgrade

  Quieter, more efficient unit

  from£250inc. VAT

• Commercial wall unit

  Fitted in business hours

  from£1,795+ VAT

• Ceiling cassette

  In a suitable suspended ceiling

  from£2,750+ VAT

• An annual service

  Keeps the manufacturer warranty valid

  from£119inc. VAT

Areas and postcodes we cover

We work across the town and the villages around it, including:

• SL7: Marlow town centre, Marlow Bottom, Little Marlow and Medmenham
• SL7 over the river: Bisham, in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
• SL8: Bourne End

Marlow questions