10 Home Improvements That Don’t Need Planning Permission
Keep within certain restrictions and there are more permissible upgrades than you might think
Permitted Development (PD) allows homeowners to make alterations without having to apply for Planning Permission from the local authority, making it much easier to tackle numerous projects. So whether you’re keen to fit new windows or solar panels, or add a garden room or porch, first check out this expert advice on what is – and isn’t – allowed under PD.
Professional advice from: Geoff Bryson of Bryson Architecture; Andrew Sperring of JAS Building Services; James Hood of Model Projects
More in this series: Can I Extend My House or Loft Without Planning Permission?
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Professional advice from: Geoff Bryson of Bryson Architecture; Andrew Sperring of JAS Building Services; James Hood of Model Projects
More in this series: Can I Extend My House or Loft Without Planning Permission?
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
There are several advantages to PD. “Permitted Development is a national law and, as such, falls outside a local authority’s planning regulations and guidance,” James Hood says.
By utilising the PD rights already attached to your home, you can bypass the conventional planning process. “There are enormous benefits to this route, such as bigger lofts and extensions, more extensive glazing and large outbuildings,” he says.
By utilising the PD rights already attached to your home, you can bypass the conventional planning process. “There are enormous benefits to this route, such as bigger lofts and extensions, more extensive glazing and large outbuildings,” he says.
How can I ensure compliance?
“General advice will always steer you to contact your local planning authority to check the proposed work is lawful, and to see whether Planning Permission is required for any part of it,” Andrew says.
Geoff suggests, “If you want to be certain an extension you’re planning, for instance, is lawful, or that your proposal doesn’t require Planning Permission, you can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate.”
“General advice will always steer you to contact your local planning authority to check the proposed work is lawful, and to see whether Planning Permission is required for any part of it,” Andrew says.
Geoff suggests, “If you want to be certain an extension you’re planning, for instance, is lawful, or that your proposal doesn’t require Planning Permission, you can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate.”
When does Permitted Development not apply?
“PD rights are more restricted on properties in conservation areas, national parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, World Heritage sites and the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads,” Geoff says.
If a property is listed, its Permitted Development rights will have been removed, James says. “Flats and maisonettes will also have had them removed, because they often fall under a leasehold agreement and not a freehold ownership.”
Some new buildings also have these rights removed by a developer or through the planning process. “This will need to be confirmed on the deeds or past planning documents,” James says.
Don’t just assume your property has permitted development rights, he warns, as sometimes permission can be withdrawn.
Find a local architect to help you plan your extension.
“PD rights are more restricted on properties in conservation areas, national parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, World Heritage sites and the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads,” Geoff says.
If a property is listed, its Permitted Development rights will have been removed, James says. “Flats and maisonettes will also have had them removed, because they often fall under a leasehold agreement and not a freehold ownership.”
Some new buildings also have these rights removed by a developer or through the planning process. “This will need to be confirmed on the deeds or past planning documents,” James says.
Don’t just assume your property has permitted development rights, he warns, as sometimes permission can be withdrawn.
Find a local architect to help you plan your extension.
1 Convert a basement
Opening up a basement would sometimes be permitted. “A basement extension would be classed as Permitted Development if you’re using an existing lower-ground room, such as a coal store or service void,” Geoff says. “However, creating a space beneath a property by excavating would usually require a planning application.”
Opening up a basement would sometimes be permitted. “A basement extension would be classed as Permitted Development if you’re using an existing lower-ground room, such as a coal store or service void,” Geoff says. “However, creating a space beneath a property by excavating would usually require a planning application.”
2 Replace windows
“[If your home isn’t listed or located in a conservation area,] Planning Permission isn’t usually required for the installation of new windows,” Geoff says, “as long as they’re similar in appearance to the windows used in the construction of the building.
“Similar conditions apply to installing cladding and wall finishes,” he says.
“[If your home isn’t listed or located in a conservation area,] Planning Permission isn’t usually required for the installation of new windows,” Geoff says, “as long as they’re similar in appearance to the windows used in the construction of the building.
“Similar conditions apply to installing cladding and wall finishes,” he says.
3 Add a porch
“Porches are generally an easy project to carry out under Permitted Development, but you do need to check the height of the structure and distance from the boundary,” Andrew says.
“Porches are the only form of addition that extends beyond the front wall of a property that are allowed under Permitted Development,” James says. “You can choose the form of porch, from flat to pitched roof, as long as it’s no higher than three metres, it has an external footprint no greater than three square metres, and no part of it is nearer than two metres from any highway.”
“Porches are generally an easy project to carry out under Permitted Development, but you do need to check the height of the structure and distance from the boundary,” Andrew says.
“Porches are the only form of addition that extends beyond the front wall of a property that are allowed under Permitted Development,” James says. “You can choose the form of porch, from flat to pitched roof, as long as it’s no higher than three metres, it has an external footprint no greater than three square metres, and no part of it is nearer than two metres from any highway.”
“Porches can open up your home and make it feel bigger,” Andrew says. “They can offer storage space for shoes and clothing and help keep your house clean from the changeable British weather.
“We recently created a porch side extension under Permitted Development that includes a utility space and boot room area,” he adds.
“We recently created a porch side extension under Permitted Development that includes a utility space and boot room area,” he adds.
4 Alter walls, gates and fences
“You can remove a gate, fence or wall, make alterations or repairs, or carry out improvement and maintenance work under Permitted Development, as long as you don’t increase the height,” Andrew says.
“If you want to increase the height – or you live in a conservation area – you’ll need Planning Permission. With works like these, it’s always important to consider your neighbours, too,” he adds.
“Gates, fences and walls are allowed under Permitted Development if they’re one metre or lower on a boundary facing a highway, or no more than two metres on any other boundary,” Geoff says. “Listed buildings, however, would require Planning Permission for any gate, fence or wall.”
“You can remove a gate, fence or wall, make alterations or repairs, or carry out improvement and maintenance work under Permitted Development, as long as you don’t increase the height,” Andrew says.
“If you want to increase the height – or you live in a conservation area – you’ll need Planning Permission. With works like these, it’s always important to consider your neighbours, too,” he adds.
“Gates, fences and walls are allowed under Permitted Development if they’re one metre or lower on a boundary facing a highway, or no more than two metres on any other boundary,” Geoff says. “Listed buildings, however, would require Planning Permission for any gate, fence or wall.”
5 Upgrade lighting and security
“Minor domestic light fittings are not subject to planning controls,” Geoff says. “If you want to install external lighting or CCTV for security or other purposes, make sure the intensity and direction of the light doesn’t disturb others. Also take care that beams aren’t pointed directly at the windows of other houses. CCTV should only cover your own property.
“Security lights fitted with passive infrared detectors and/or timing devices should be adjusted so they minimise nuisance to neighbours,” he adds. “They should also be set so they’re not triggered by traffic or pedestrians passing your property.”
If your property is listed, consult the local planning authority before installing any hi-tech lighting or surveillance equipment.
“Minor domestic light fittings are not subject to planning controls,” Geoff says. “If you want to install external lighting or CCTV for security or other purposes, make sure the intensity and direction of the light doesn’t disturb others. Also take care that beams aren’t pointed directly at the windows of other houses. CCTV should only cover your own property.
“Security lights fitted with passive infrared detectors and/or timing devices should be adjusted so they minimise nuisance to neighbours,” he adds. “They should also be set so they’re not triggered by traffic or pedestrians passing your property.”
If your property is listed, consult the local planning authority before installing any hi-tech lighting or surveillance equipment.
6 Consider solar panels
“Solar panels are allowed under Permitted Development,” James says, “along with flues and antennas. Other microgeneration technologies, such as air-source heat pumps, are also permitted.”
Solar panels can save homeowners money on electricity bills, but, now the government has ended incentives for generating solar energy, it’s worth checking out any potential savings thoroughly before going ahead.
“Solar panels are allowed under Permitted Development,” James says, “along with flues and antennas. Other microgeneration technologies, such as air-source heat pumps, are also permitted.”
Solar panels can save homeowners money on electricity bills, but, now the government has ended incentives for generating solar energy, it’s worth checking out any potential savings thoroughly before going ahead.
7 Open up interiors
“You can change your home internally to create a flowing, open living space by removing walls or remodelling the existing space into additional bathrooms, cloakrooms, boot rooms, hidden storage or pocket walls,” Andrew says.
“Obtain a Lawful Development Certificate for peace of mind and confirmation that any changes are permitted,” he adds.
“You can change your home internally to create a flowing, open living space by removing walls or remodelling the existing space into additional bathrooms, cloakrooms, boot rooms, hidden storage or pocket walls,” Andrew says.
“Obtain a Lawful Development Certificate for peace of mind and confirmation that any changes are permitted,” he adds.
8 Boost living space with a garden room
“External buildings that are detached from the main house are allowed under Permitted Development,” James says. “Outbuildings have to be located in a rear or side garden; they cannot sit beyond the front elevation of the house.
“Outbuildings can only be single storey, and they have centre height restrictions, depending on the proximity of a boundary,” he continues. “The footprint of any outbuilding cannot exceed more than 50 percent of the garden curtilage [the land surrounding a dwelling].”
You might also enjoy Your Essential Guide to Building a Garden Room.
“External buildings that are detached from the main house are allowed under Permitted Development,” James says. “Outbuildings have to be located in a rear or side garden; they cannot sit beyond the front elevation of the house.
“Outbuildings can only be single storey, and they have centre height restrictions, depending on the proximity of a boundary,” he continues. “The footprint of any outbuilding cannot exceed more than 50 percent of the garden curtilage [the land surrounding a dwelling].”
You might also enjoy Your Essential Guide to Building a Garden Room.
9 Splash out on a swimming pool
This might be firmly on the fantasy list for many, but if you win the lottery, you might like to know that external swimming pools are also permitted under the same 50 percent rule as garden rooms. The government Planning Portal states that “Planning Permission is not usually required to install an outdoor swimming pool, as a pool is often considered as a garden project.”
However, it’s always recommended that you check with your local planning authority, particularly if your property or the surrounding area falls into any of the following classifications: designated land, national park, greenbelt land, listed building, or conversation area.
This might be firmly on the fantasy list for many, but if you win the lottery, you might like to know that external swimming pools are also permitted under the same 50 percent rule as garden rooms. The government Planning Portal states that “Planning Permission is not usually required to install an outdoor swimming pool, as a pool is often considered as a garden project.”
However, it’s always recommended that you check with your local planning authority, particularly if your property or the surrounding area falls into any of the following classifications: designated land, national park, greenbelt land, listed building, or conversation area.
10 Fit a car charger
“Technology is constantly changing and updating, and many of us like to keep up, especially when that means you can be more environmentally friendly,” Andrew says. “Electric car chargers can be installed under Permitted Development, dependent upon their size and distance from a road.”
Vehicle charging points must not be more than 1.6 metres high from the surface the vehicle is parked on and must not be within two metres of a road.
Tell us…
What creative improvements have you made to your home under Permitted Development? Share your experiences in the Comments.
“Technology is constantly changing and updating, and many of us like to keep up, especially when that means you can be more environmentally friendly,” Andrew says. “Electric car chargers can be installed under Permitted Development, dependent upon their size and distance from a road.”
Vehicle charging points must not be more than 1.6 metres high from the surface the vehicle is parked on and must not be within two metres of a road.
Tell us…
What creative improvements have you made to your home under Permitted Development? Share your experiences in the Comments.
“Permitted Development covers the changes homeowners can make to their property without having to apply for Planning Permission. It’s a simpler approach,” Andrew Sperring says.
It includes numerous relatively small projects, detailed below, as well as loft and rear extensions, which are covered in a separate article.
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