Do I Need Planning?
Not all building or renovation work requires planning permission. This is because of something called "permitted development."
Permitted development is a set of guidelines established by the government that allows certain types of building work to be carried out without the need for planning permission. This means that as long as your proposed project falls within the guidelines of permitted development, you can proceed with your plans without having to apply for planning permission.
So, what types of work are covered by permitted development? Here are a few examples:
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Extensions: You can add a single-story extension to your home, as long as it does not exceed a certain size and is not in a conservation area or an area of outstanding natural beauty.
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Porches: You can build a porch as long as it is not more than 3 square meters in size and is not in front of the main entrance to your property.
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Sheds and outbuildings: You can build a shed or outbuilding in your garden, as long as it does not exceed a certain size and is not used for living in.
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Loft Conversion: You can build a dormer with restrictions on height, roof enlargement, materials, volume of roof space lost, and prohibition in conservation areas. Verandas, balconies, and raised platforms are also restricted.
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Internal alterations: You can make internal alterations to your home, such as removing walls or installing new windows, without needing planning permission.
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Driveways: You can lay a new driveway or change the surface of an existing one, as long as it does not affect the visibility of drivers on a road.
It's important to note that these are just a few examples of what is covered by permitted development. There are many other types of work that are also covered, so it's always best to check with your local council to see what is allowed in your specific case.
In conclusion, permitted development can save you time and money by allowing you to carry out certain types of building work without the need for planning permission. However, it's essential to check with your local council to ensure that your plans fall within the guidelines of permitted development before proceeding.
Extensions
Rear Extension
Single-story Rear extensions in the UK may be allowed under "permitted development" rules, subject to the following conditions and restrictions:
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Maximum depth of 3 meters for a terraced or semi-detached house and 4 meters for a detached house
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Maximum height of 4 meters
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The extension should not take up more than half the area of land around the original house
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May not be permitted if the house is in a conservation area
Side Extension
Single-story Side extensions may also be allowed under "permitted development" rules, subject to the following conditions and restrictions:
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Maximum height of 4 meters
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The extension should not be higher than the highest part of the original roof
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The extension should not extend beyond the side wall of the original house by more than 3 meters for a terraced or semi-detached house and 4 meters for a detached house
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Must not be situated on a designated land, such as a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
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May not be permitted if the house is in a conservation area
Porches
porch extensions may be allowed under "permitted development" rules, subject to the following conditions and restrictions:
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Maximum height of 3 meters above ground level
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Maximum area of 3 square meters for any part of the porch that is within 2 meters of the boundary of the property and a maximum height of 2.5 meters
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The porch should not be situated on a designated land, such as a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
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May not be permitted if the house is in a conservation area
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The porch should not be within 2 meters of any highway used by vehicles or within the curtilage of a listed building
Sheds and Outbuildings
sheds and outbuildings under "permitted development" rules, subject to the following conditions and restrictions:
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Maximum height of 2.5 meters for a shed or outbuilding in the case of a building with a dual-pitched roof, or 4 meters for any other building
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Maximum overall height of 2.5 meters for any outbuilding and not extending beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than 3 meters
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Outbuildings should not be situated forward of a wall forming the principal elevation or side elevation of the original house
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Must not be situated on a designated land, such as a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
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May not be permitted if the house is in a conservation area
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The outbuilding should not be used as living accommodation
Loft Conversion
loft conversions under "permitted development" rules, subject to the following conditions and restrictions:
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Maximum height of the highest part of the roof cannot be exceeded
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The roof enlargement cannot extend beyond the plane of the existing roof slope of the principal elevation that fronts the highway
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Materials used in the conversion must match the existing house
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The conversion should not result in the loss of more than 40 cubic meters of roof space for terraced houses, or 50 cubic meters for detached or semi-detached houses
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May not be permitted if the house is in a conservation area
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The conversion should not involve the construction of a veranda, balcony or raised platform
