Do I Need Planning Permission or Can I Build Under Permitted Development?

Sometimes you can carry out your building works without Planning Permission. In this case, you would then build under Permitted Development (PD). We still recommend making a planning application, but instead of a standard planning application, you apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness. Permitted Development allows for minor improvements such as internal alterations, loft conversions or modest extensions. Permitted Development exists to avoid clogging up the planning system.

Here’s a list of things you can do without planning permission/under PD:

• Replacing or adding new windows within the original walls is usually fine. If your building is listed or the original planning permission had conditions attached, this may not be the case.

• Adding a new window or door opening is usually fine depending on what could be affecting the floor above, such as structural elements.

• Adding skylights is fine as long as they are not raised more than 15cm from the roof slope.

• Converting an existing garage or attached building is usually fine as you do not extend the overall building footprint.

• You can SOMETIMES add a single story extension without Planning Permission; however, you need to be within the following guidelines: Does the extension extend past the overall elevation of the house? Are the materials in keeping with the original? Eaves are not higher than 3m with a total height of 4m if within 2m of any boundary. A rear extension may not extend further than 4m for a detached house and 3m for semi-detached. A side extension may not be wider than half the width of the existing.

• You can add a 2 story extension or an extension to the second floor of your house so long as it is at the rear of your home, it is no deeper than 3m, and it is within 7m from your rear boundary.

• A loft conversion with a footprint of no more than 40m3 for terraced houses and 50m3 for detached or semi-detached houses can usually be done without Planning Permission.

• You can sometimes build a small separate dwelling such as a shed or outbuilding without planning Permission so long as the area covered by such dwellings doesn’t exceed more than 50% of the total un-built on property. It needs to be only 1 storey, it needs to be within height restrictions, and it must not be used for accommodation/sleeping.

• You can build a porch so long as it is no higher than 3m, not within 2m of any boundary and has a ground area no bigger than 3m2.You can add gates, walls and fences so long as they are no higher than 2m (or 1m if adjacent to the highway)You can build a garden deck so long as it is no higher than 300mm.

• You can build a pool so long as the area covered is less than 50% of the total unbuilt property.

• You can change or add cladding.

• You can add solar panels so long as they don’t jut out more than 200mm past the roof slope.

• You can even sometimes build a basement under PD! However, PD does not cover the engineering work.

• You can create a parking space so long as it is made of porous materials and has a system for water to run off into porous areas within the property.

• Converting industrial, commercial or agricultural building for domestic purposes is usually fine so long as you follow the ‘Prior Notification procedure.