HOUSEHOLDER PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS

photo of house extension and plans

CAN YOU EXTEND YOUR HOUSE WITHOUT A PLANNING APPLICATION?

Certain works can be undertaken on houses in England without the need to apply for planning permission.ย 

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PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS FOR DWELLINGHOUSES

One of the most commonlyย used areas of the planning system by lay members of the public and often a source of controversy and confusion, Schedule 2, Part 1 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) grants permission for a range of extensions and alterations to โ€˜dwelling housesโ€™ through useย of residential ‘permitted development’ rights.

Below is a list of common householder projects that might fall within Schedule 2, Part 1 of the GPDO 2015.ย 

Click on the images for information on permitted development rights for specific projects:

Photo of building works at a house

FRONT EXTENSIONS

Permitted development rights for front extensions are quite restrictive, but there are limited instances where a planning application can be avoided

Photo of house and porch

PORCHES

There are separate rules for porches to external doors - irrespective of where they are on a house, subject to certain criteria being met

photo of rear house extensions terrace

REAR EXTENSIONS

You may be surprised at how large an extension a the rear of a house can be without the need for a planning application

Photo of house with side extension and aluminium dormer window

SIDE EXTENSIONS

Side extensions can often be contentious where they are close to boundaries with neighbours, but can be built without planning applications in certain circumstances

Photo of roof dormer extensions

LOFT CONVERSIONS AND ROOF EXTENSIONS

You can't extend the roof at the front of a house without a planning application, but PD Rights are quite generous for proposals at the rear of a property

Photo of roof window skylight

OTHER ROOF ALTERATIONS, RE-ROOFING, SKYLIGHTS

You can usually re-roof and insert skylights without the need for a planning application, but there are cases where you must apply

Photo of a gravel driveway

HARDSTANDINGS / PATIOS / DRIVEWAYS

This is a common type of project that people often get caught out on. Planning rules governing new hardstandings and driveways in England are surprisingly restrictive with conditions that need to be followed regarding their construction.

Photo of new timber decking

DECKING AND OTHER RAISED PLATFORMS

Planning applications sometimes need to be made where proposals for new decking or raised platforms are over a certain size

Photo of a black chimney above a sloped roof

CHIMNEYS, FLUES, SOIL AND VENT PIPES

Planning permission is needed for chimneys, flues or other pipes depending on their size and position on a house

Photo of a garden shed with trees

GARAGES, SHEDS AND OTHER OUTBUILDINGS

You might be surprised at just how huge buildings in gardens or curtilages of houses can be without the need for a planning application

Photo of garage doors for conversion

CONVERTING A GARAGE TO LIVING ACCOMMODATION

You can normally convert an existing garage to living accommodation without the need for a planning application. HOWEVER - you need to check conditions and restrictions that may apply to your house.

Photo of satellite dish

SATELLITE DISHES AND OTHER MICROWAVE ANTENNAE

Be careful with that new satellite dish - depending upon the size of the dish and where you want to put it, you might need a planning application!

Photo of solar panels on red tiled roof

SOLAR PANELS AND OTHER MICRO-GENERATION EQUIPMENT

Rules for installing pv solar cells, domestic windmills, heat pumps and flues

FURTHER INFORMATION – AND WHAT ABOUT PROJECTS TO FLATS AND OTHER PREMISES?

Permitted development rights under Part 1 apply only to houses – they do not apply to flats, maisonettes or other buildings.ย  Check out our guides to non-householder PD rights.ย 

Permitted development rights within Conservation Areas, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks, World Heritage Sites or The Broads are more restrictive than in other areas.

If a development is over 100 sq m, it may be liable for a charge under the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

There may be conditions on a previous planning permission or other local restrictions, such as Article 4 Directions, which may limit or remove permitted development rights in some instances.

To determine whether planning permission is required for development, seekย professional advice or clarification from the local planning authority before work starts.

TownPlanning.info has an extensive catalogue of articles and guides which help explain the town planning system in England. 

See below for links to some of our most popular pages or use the search function and menus at the top of the page.  

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