Dataset Overview
This dataset estimates the suitability of non-domestic properties for the installation of a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP), which extracts heat from the ground using buried pipes (a "ground loop") to provide space heating.
Each property is assessed using its building type, curtilage area (the land within the property boundary), and peak heating demand. A property is deemed suitable if its curtilage is large enough to accommodate a horizontal ground loop system for the building's heating needs.
Properties that are unsuitable are given a reason explaining why, which you can find in the data field titled 'Remark'. Systems with a peak demand exceeding 45 kW are flagged as requiring full planning permission.
Figure 1: Green shows a non-domestic building suitable for GSHP installation, Grey shows a building that is unsuitable.
Methodology
Building data is extracted from OS NGD Building and OS NGD Address to determine building topography and type information. This is combined with land data extracted from OS NGD Land. Only non-domestic properties are included.
The building and land data is combined to calculate the total curtilage area for each property. Unlike the domestic dataset, which uses back garden area only, the non-domestic assessment uses the total curtilage. This reflects the fact that non-domestic ground loops may be installed anywhere within the property boundary, in line with the Class L "curtilage" definition under the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) 2015.
A property is suitable for GSHP when:
The building's usage type is suitable (based on its OS AddressBase classification). For further details, see ‘Excluded Classification Codes’ below.
The total curtilage is large enough to support the required ground loop, calculated as 50 m² of curtilage per kW of peak heating demand
Where a building contains multiple properties (e.g. a block of flats), GSHP suitability is assessed at the building footprint level, since the ground loop serves the whole building. Suitability is assigned to the Shell record where one exists. If no shell exists, it is assigned to the Parent UPRN. If no Parent UPRN exists, it is assigned to the Child UPRN.
Systems with a peak demand above 45 kW exceed the Class L microgeneration threshold and require full planning permission. These properties can still be marked as suitable, but the Remark field notes the planning requirement.
The recommended heat pump size is derived from the peak heating demand of the property (see the Non-Domestic Heat Demand article for how this is calculated), with a minimum size of 3 kW.
Excluded Classification Codes:
Non-domestic classification codes are mapped to a suitability flag using the OS AddressBase classification scheme. The following categories are excluded from the suitability assessment as they typically lack enclosed building fabric or a defined curtilage suitable for heat pump servicing:
Agricultural sites (CA) such as farms, fisheries, and horticulture
Ancillary buildings (CB, LB, MB) such as outbuildings and support structures
Mineral extraction and quarrying (CI02) and related processing/storage
Outdoor leisure and sport facilities (CL06 subcodes such as playing fields, golf courses, and equestrian facilities) and open-air attractions (CL08)
Transport infrastructure (CT) such as car parks, railway assets, marinas, and freight terminals
Utilities infrastructure (CU) such as substations, pump houses, telecoms masts, and waste treatment works
Storage land (CS), including builders' yards
Land classifications (L) such as agricultural land, forestry, allotments, amenity land, open space, and water features
Military sites (M) excluding Defence Estates (MG)
Navigation aids, coastal protection, and street furniture (O-prefix codes)
Monuments and underground features (Z-prefix codes excluding Stately Homes and Places of Worship)
Assumptions
A horizontal ground loop requires approximately 50 m² of ground per kW of peak heating demand. This is a conservative planning-level estimate for typical UK soil conditions.
The total curtilage area is used for the suitability assessment. Unlike the domestic dataset, there is no front/back separation for the GSHP check, as non-domestic ground loops are not restricted to rear installation.
Systems above 45 kW peak demand exceed the Class L microgeneration threshold under GPDO 2015 and are flagged as requiring full planning permission. The dataset does not assess whether permission would be granted.
Land parcels larger than 15,000 m² are excluded to remove anomalous data (e.g. farmland or common land incorrectly linked to individual properties).
Sources
Fields
Field Name | Field Description |
UPRN | Unique Property Reference Number |
Parent UPRN | Unique Property Reference Number immediately above in the building hierarchy |
Overall Suitability Rating | The overall suitability of the property for an air source heat pump |
Remark | Supporting note on suitability or constraints. |
Recommended Heat Pump Size [kW] | The recommended heat pump size for the property. |
Peak Heat Pump Demand (kWp) | The modelled peak building heat demand of the property. |
Building Size (m^2) | The area of the building within the land parcel. |
Total Garden Area (m^2) | The total area of the garden within the land parcel. |
Type | UPRN Type Parent, Child or Shell. |