Do I need planning permission?

Under regulations issued for England by the government, it is possible to carry out certain changes to your home without any need for planning permission, they are referred to as ‘Permitted Development Rights’. In some cases, permitted development rights can be withdrawn or modified:

• locally by conditions attached to planning permissions
• if a property is subject to an Article 4 Direction
• within a conservation area, listed building or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

Flats and maisonettes are not subject to the same permitted development rights as houses. Alterations and extensions to flats and maisonettes may often require planning permission.

To find further information on permitted development click here.

Click the picture below to view the interactive guide.

Click the picture below to view the interactive guide:

Click the picture below to view the interactive guide: 

There are also interactive mini-guides for some common projects listed below:

• Loft Conversions
• Extensions (Single Storey)
• Extensions (Two Storey)
• Conservatories
• Outbuildings
• Porches

Planning permission is not required for internal works to domestic properties. However, Listed Building Consent (LBC) will be required for most works to the exterior and interior of a listed building.

• Basements
• Biomass fuelled appliances
• Boilers and heating
• Ceilings and floors
• Conservatories
• Decking
• Decoration
• Doors and windows
• Flats and maisonettes
• Flue, chimney or soil and vent pipe
• Fuel tanks
• Extensions
• Garage conversion
• Heat pumps
• Internal walls
• Kitchen and bathrooms
• Lighting
• Loft conversion
• Micro-combined heat and power
• Outbuildings
• Patio & driveway
• Paving your front garden
• Porches
• Roof
• Satellite, TV and radio antenna
• Solar panels
• Underpinning
• Working from home
• Wind turbines

 

• Adverts and signs
• Change of use
• Electrics
• Energy saving
• Flues for biomass and combined heat and power systems (non-domestic)
• Heat pumps (non-domestic)
• Shops
• Solar panels (non domestic)
• Warehouses and industrial buildings

• Demolition
• Drains and sewers
• External walls
• Fascias
• Fences, gates and garden walls
• Gate ornaments
• High hedges
• Home energy generation
• Hydro electricity
• Insulation
• Neighbourhood planning
• Self build homes
• Trees and hedges

With all building work, the owner of the property (or land) is responsible for complying with the relevant planning rules and building regulations regardless of whether approval is required. The following responsibilities sets out general advice that may be applicable to a variety of common projects:

• Planning permission
• Building regulations
• Other considerations
• Other permissions you may require 

Please note: Building Control is a separate department to planning.
 
For queries regarding building control and building regulations approval click here.