B

A

C

You may have Permitted Development Rights which allow you to build a rear or side extension up to a set size. [A]
You can normally add a small front porch to your house.
You may be able to convert your loft within the Permitted Development Rights. [B]
Some detached structures such as garages can sometimes be constructed without planning
permission. [C]

DO I NEED PLANNING PERMISSION?
If you are extending or altering your property you sometimes do not need planning permission for small changes or extensions.

PLANNING PERMISSION FOR HOUSE EXTENSIONS AND ALTERATIONS
Planning permission is mainly concerned with the environmental impact of your
proposals - the appearance, the affect on the street scene and the affect on your neighbours.

WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS ON
PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT?

Permitted Development Rights were altered on 1st October 2008. In general terms, the size of
development allowed under this new legislation has
increased. The following list provides an overview of the likely Permitted Development Rights for your house. Local Planning Authority Design Guidelines can also impose further restrictions and a check should always be made with the local authority prior to proceeding.

1. Permitted Development Rights vary depending on whether your property is detached, semi-
detached or terraced.
2. You can construct an extension where this will increases the house depth by less than 3-4
metres. Actual dimensions depend on the house type, the distance from boundaries and the
garden size.
3. Height restrictions apply to these extensions, especially when constructing closer to the site boundaries.
4. Permitted Development Rights only apply to
extensions no nearer to a public highway than the existing house.
5. You can construct a detached building behind your house, either 3 metres high if flat roofed or 4
metres high if the roof is pitched but limited to 2.5m high if within 2 metres of the boundary.
6. You can construct a porch of up to 3 square
metres floor area and 3 metres high if it is more than 2.0 metres from a public highway.
7. You can add dormer windows to your roof if they are within a combined volume limit of 40 -50
cubic metres (actual volume depends on house type), are kept 20cm below the ridge line and do not face a public highway. If you are only using Velux type roof windows, you do not usually need planning permission to convert your roof to living space. However, any windows facing your neighbours will need to be obscure glazed and non-opening below 1.7 metres and you will still require Building Regulations approval for the conversion.
6. Where you intend to lay hard paving with an area greater than 5sqm in front of your house, the
surface cannot drain to the mains drainage
system. Alternative drainage methods must be adopted - for instance, installing gravel or other porous paving finishes or draining to a new
soakaway. (note: under the Building Regulations soakaways cannot be located less than 5 metres from your house).
7. You cannot incorporate a balcony or veranda if more than 30cm above adjacent ground level.

8. There are normally only limited Permitted
Development rights for properties in
Conservation Areas or areas subject to
Article IV Directions. Works to Listed Buildings will always require Listed Building Consent and there are generally no Permitted Development Rights.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Planning applications are lodged on standard forms and must include
drawings describing the building “as
existing” and “as proposed” in plan, elevation and section. Further plans are required to show the relationship of the proposals to the site boundaries and neighbouring properties, nearby trees, and also the extent of ownership.
The local authority charge a standard application fee to process the
application.
Planning applications usually take about 8 weeks to determine.



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PLANNING PERMISSION
is required for most other
types of development