As UK planning regulations become more stringent, particularly around ammonia emissions, poultry farmers face growing pressure to demonstrate sustainable, low-emission housing solutions. Whether you’re developing a new site or applying for a variation to an existing permit, your ability to control emissions, save energy, and meet Best Available Techniques (BAT) can make or break your application.
That’s why EcoCooling’s Heat Recovery Unit (ECHX) is fast becoming an essential tool in the poultry farmer’s planning toolkit.
How to Secure Planning Permission with Heat Recovery on Poultry Farms
Ammonia emissions from poultry houses are under intense scrutiny by environmental agencies. In recent UK permit decisions, the Environment Agency has formally accepted a 35% ammonia reduction when heat exchangers are used in broiler housing.
“An ammonia reduction factor of 35 % has been applied to all poultry houses with heat exchangers installed.” — EA Decision Document, 2024
By installing a heat recovery unit, you can reduce your environmental impact at source, improving your chance of passing ammonia screening and achieving planning consent, especially for developments near designated conservation sites.
Features of EcoCooling’s Heat Recovery Unit
Compact & Planning-Friendly
Unlike some of the bulkier imported systems, the EcoCooling Unit is compact and British-built, designed specifically for UK poultry farming conditions. Its small size makes installation straightforward, ideal for both retrofit and new builds, both centre and gable installation, and it can be ordered in whatever RAL colour you need.
This flexibility means the units can be matched to your existing shed cladding or local surroundings, helping your project blend into the landscape – a key concern in planning applications in rural or protected areas.
Designed for Poultry & Made in the UK
Our Poultry House Heat Recovery Unit is engineered to:
- Reduce ammonia emissions and comply with environmental permitting
- Recover heat from stale air to warm incoming air, improving flock welfare
- Lower heating costs by recycling warm air, especially in colder months
- Support compliance with BAT requirements for broiler operations
- Simplify planning applications with custom colour options and a discreet design
Plus, because it’s manufactured right here in the UK, you get local support, fast lead times, and the assurance of quality you can depend on.
Future-Proof Your Farm
Planning and permitting requirements aren’t getting easier. With EcoCooling’s Poultry House Heat Recovery Unit, you can meet regulatory expectations today, while improving the long-term efficiency
Learn more about our poultry solutions and how they can support your planning application or get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements.
- Published July 7, 2025
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Emma Beresford
Director at EcoCooling.
Driving the development of sustainable cooling solutions.
An experienced sales and marketing manager, working with SMEs to successfully develop and execute growth strategies. Key achievements have been in the identification and entry strategy for new markets via alignment and reapplication of existing IP/technology to new products and services.
