Air conditioning in Radlett
We install, service and repair air conditioning in Radlett and the villages around it, from Shenley to Letchmore Heath. Many Radlett homes are large detached houses and bungalows, so here's what the two conservation areas, the bungalow Article 4 directions and the Radlett Neighbourhood Plan mean for an install.
- conservation areas in Radlett
- 2
- Neighbourhood Plan made
- 2021
- Radlett and Shenley
- WD7
- ducted, per zone, from
- £4,950
Hertsmere in official figures
- households (2021 Census)
- 42,682
- live in a flat
- 28 in 100
- live in a house
- 71 in 100
- listed building entries
- 321
Of 42,682 households in the 2021 Census, 71 in 100 lived in a house (19 detached, 32 semi-detached, 20 terraced) and 28 in 100 in a flat. Most installs here are on houses, where a back or side wall is usually the simplest place for the outdoor unit.
In a conservation area an outdoor unit can't go on a wall or roof facing a road without planning permission, and an Article 4 direction can remove permitted development rights altogether. Check your postcode to see whether either applies to your street.
Figures for the whole Hertsmere council area. Sources: ONS Census 2021, table TS044 (accommodation type); Historic England's National Heritage List entries within the council boundary, through planning.data.gov.uk (one entry can cover several buildings). Checked October 2026.
A Watling Street village that grew with the railway
Hertsmere's appraisal of Radlett South describes a small medieval settlement on Watling Street that changed little until the railway arrived in the late 19th century. It then grew into the busy small town of today, and kept much of the character of each phase: flint walls and original houses on Loom Lane, Christchurch and its churchyard, and the shops of the High Street on the old Roman road.
Radlett is in Aldenham parish. Aldenham Parish Council produced the Radlett Neighbourhood Plan, which passed its referendum on 6 May 2021 and was made by Hertsmere Borough Council later that month. It now sits alongside the council's own policies when planning applications in the town are decided.
Radlett's two conservation areas
Hertsmere lists 15 conservation areas. Two are in Radlett. Under permitted development, an outdoor unit can't go on a wall or roof facing a road inside either of them.
| Conservation area | What it covers | Last reviewed |
|---|---|---|
| Radlett (North) | The High Street area, including Station Road and the junction of Watling Street and Shenley Hill | 2010, when the six houses of Barn Close were taken out |
| Radlett (South) | Four character zones around Christchurch, Loom Lane and Cobden Hill | October 2012, when Church Close and two Christchurch Crescent houses were taken out |
The Radlett South appraisal suggests Article 4 directions may be considered later for some locally important houses. Check the council's maps for exact boundaries before you plan an outdoor unit.
Radlett bungalows and Article 4
Hertsmere has made Article 4 directions on groups of bungalows that the Neighbourhood Plan picks out, in roads such as Theobald Street, Williams Way, Faggots Close, Craigweil Avenue, Newberries Avenue, Gills Hill Lane, Goodyers Avenue, Links Drive and The Close. The first were confirmed in 2023 and the last group in June 2024.
They remove the rights to add storeys to a house and to build new homes on top of it. They don't touch the heat pump rights, so a heating-capable outdoor unit on one of these bungalows can still be permitted development if it meets the size, position and noise limits. A bungalow often has room for a unit at the side or rear, with short pipe runs.
Planning: Hertsmere Borough Council
Planning in Radlett is handled by Hertsmere Borough Council. A heating-capable unit on a house is often permitted development if it isn't cooling-only, is no bigger than 1.5 m³ and passes the MCS 020(a) noise check of 37 dB(A) at neighbours' windows. A detached house can have two heat pumps, a semi or terrace one. Our planning guide has the rest.
Hertsmere also has Article 4 directions on three named sites outside the village: Little Kendals Farm on Watling Street, land at Kendal Hall Farm and land at Kendal Wood. Listed buildings always need consent.
Radlett homes and how we approach them
| Type of home | Where | How we approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Large detached houses | Across the town and out towards Shenley and Aldenham | Room for a multi-split or ducted system. Two outdoor units are allowed on a detached house if each meets the limits. |
| Bungalows | Including the groups covered by Article 4 directions | The heat pump rights still apply. A side or rear unit with a short pipe run suits most. |
| Older houses and cottages | Christchurch, Loom Lane and Cobden Hill, in Radlett South | Conservation area. A rear position out of sight of the road, with neat pipework. |
| Flats above shops and newer blocks | The High Street and Watling Street | Freeholder consent first. One heat pump per block under permitted development, up to 0.6 m³. |
Businesses and parking
We fit and service systems for shops, restaurants, salons, clinics and offices along Watling Street and the High Street. Commercial installs are done in business hours, and we keep F-Gas records for systems that need them.
Radlett has a controlled parking zone, and Hertsmere has been consulting on parking changes in the town. If your road has permit bays, tell us when you book so we can plan where the van parks while we unload the outdoor unit.
What air conditioning costs in Radlett
Our starting prices are the same here as across Hertfordshire and London. Home prices include VAT. Business prices are plus VAT. Planning fees are separate.
- from£1,850inc. VAT
A bedroom or study
2.5 kW wall unit, 5 m pipe, fitted in a day
- from£2,050inc. VAT
A living room
3.5 kW wall unit
- from£2,450inc. VAT
Open plan or a loft
5 kW wall unit
- from£5,100inc. VAT
Three rooms
Multi-split
- from£6,500inc. VAT
Four rooms
Multi-split
- from£4,950inc. VAT
Ducted, per zone
Hidden in the ceiling, survey needed
- from£550inc. VAT
Design range upgrade
Daikin Emura, Mitsubishi Electric Zen, LG Artcool
- from£119inc. VAT
An annual service
Keeps the manufacturer warranty valid
Areas and postcodes we cover
We cover the whole of Radlett and the places around it, including:
- WD7: Radlett and Shenley
- WD25: Letchmore Heath and Aldenham
- AL2: London Colney
- Nearby: Borehamwood, Bushey, Potters Bar and St Albans
Radlett questions
Do I need planning permission for air conditioning in Radlett?
Often not. A heating-capable unit on a house can be permitted development if it meets the size, position and noise limits. You need permission for a cooling-only unit, a listed building, or a unit on a road-facing wall in Radlett North or Radlett South. Applications go to Hertsmere Borough Council.
My bungalow has an Article 4 direction. Can I still have air conditioning?
Yes, usually. The Radlett bungalow directions remove the rights to add storeys and build new homes on top, not the heat pump rights. A heating-capable outdoor unit that meets the limits can still be permitted development. Check whether you're also inside a conservation area.
Can you cool every bedroom in a large detached house?
Yes. A multi-split runs several rooms from one outdoor unit: three rooms from £5,100 and four from £6,500, including VAT. A detached house can have two outdoor units under permitted development, which helps when bedrooms are at opposite ends.
Is ducted air conditioning an option in Radlett?
Often, if there's loft or ceiling space for the indoor unit and ducts, which many larger Radlett houses have. Only slim grilles show in the rooms. Ducted systems start from £4,950 per zone including VAT and always need a survey first.
I want a unit that looks good on the wall. What are the options?
Design range units, such as the Daikin Emura, Mitsubishi Electric Zen or LG Artcool, cost from £550 more than a standard unit. A standard 3.5 kW living room unit starts at £2,050 including VAT.
Can you service or repair my existing air con?
Yes. An annual service starts at £119 including VAT, plus £59 for each extra indoor unit on the same visit. If something has gone wrong, we confirm the cost of the repair visit when you book and price the repair in writing before any work starts.