Permitted development rights

You are allowed to make certain types of minor alterations to your home without the need to apply for planning permission. These are called "permitted development rights" and are outlined below:

In some areas of the country permitted development rights are more controlled. If your property is located in a Conservation Area, a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the Norfolk Broads or the Suffolk Broads, you will be required to apply for planning permission for certain types of work which do not need an application in other areas. There are also different requirements if your property is a listed building. These are outlined in the following sections

Minor Work Not Requiring Planning Permission

 

1. Roof Enlargements & Alterations - Permitted providing that they do not exceed the highest part of the existing roof and do not materially alter the shape of the dwelling
2. Greenhouses & Sheds - (and garages more than 5 metres from the house) are permitted if they cover less than 50% and are less than 3m high or 4m, with a ridge roof. No part of the building or enclosure to be constructed or provided should be nearer to any highway which bounds the curtilage than -
   (i)  the part of the original dwellinghouse nearest to that highway, or
   (ii)  any point 20 metres from that highway,
   whichever is nearer to the highway.
3. Extensions - Permitted up to 70 cubic metres or 15% of the orginal detached or semi-detached house or: 50 cubic metres or 10% of a terraced house subject to a maximum in either case of 115 cubic metres - as long as: (1) Extension does not project beyond front wall of house or is less than 20m from the highway, whichever is the nearest, (2) Does not exceed highest point of roof, (3) Does not cover more than 50% of the total curtilage area.
4. Garages and other buildings - Within 5 metres of the house count as an extension
5. Windows & Porches
   Windows: Dormer windows and doors are permitted provided they do not face the highway and do not increase the cubic volume of the house by more than 40 cu.m. for a terrace and 50 cu.m. in other cases.
   Porch: Permitted up to 3 square metres floor area and 3 metres high providing it is more than 2 metres from the road.
6. Hardstanding - Permitted for private car.
7. Gates, walls and fences - Permitted up to 1 metre high adjoining a highway and 2 metres elsewhere.
8. Vehicle Crossover - Permitted except onto a classified or trunk road.