Home Improvements that Don’t Require Planning Permission

If you’ve ever carried out home improvement works you may be familiar with the process of applying for planning permission and the stress, costs and time associated with this.

The good news is that Permitted Development (PD) could be an option for many homeowners. PD is a part of our laws and so falls outside a local authority’s planning regulations and guidance. This enables people to carry out alterations and improvements to their living spaces without the requirement to apply for Planning Permission from the local authority. This makes it easier and simpler to undertake various projects that could enhance your quality of life and even eradicate the requirement to move home for more space to work, exercise and raise a family.

By using the PD rights attached to your property it means that you can bypass the usual planning process and take advantage of the many benefits. You could have a larger loft, an extension, larger outbuildings, or extensive glazing. If you’re considering works to your home the first step is to approach your local planning authority to find out if the work is lawful and to check whether you need planning permission for any part of the planned works.

PD won’t be an option if your property is located within a conservation area, national park, area of outstanding natural beauty or a world heritage site as you will have many more restrictions as to what you can and can’t do. In addition, leasehold properties will have had their PD rights removed by a developer during the planning process – this can be confirmed by looking at the deeds or past planning documentation.

If you’re considering a garden room, sunroom, porch, solar panels or more, find out what is and isn’t allowed under PD.

Basement

You may only need PD if you’re simply opening up an existing basement, coal store or service void. If you don’t have space and need to excavate this won’t be covered.

Windows

If your property isn’t listed or within a conservation area, then you shouldn’t need planning permission for new windows.

Walls, gates, and fencing

Under PD you should be able to remove a gate, fence, or wall as long as the heigh remains the same. They need to be 1m or lower on a boundary facing a highway or 2m on another boundary.

Lighting

Domestic lights, CCTV and alarms don’t need planning permission but ensure that they don’t adversely affect neighbouring properties.

Solar panels

Check how much you could save before embarking on having Solar Panels fitted on your home. These are permitted under PD along with antennas, flues, and air-source heat pumps.

Layout

If you want to create more flow in the home and change the floorplan you could find that PD is sufficient. Talk to your local authority before carrying out the works.

Porch

A new porch can make your home feel larger, create storage space for coats and shoes or protect you from the weather. This is a common project using PD but it can be dependent on the height and structure and proximity to the boundary or highway.

Garden room

This is permitted under PD so long as it is placed in a rear or side garden and doesn’t sit beyond the front elevation of the property. It can only be single storey and will have height restrictions depending on where it is in relation to the boundary. The footprint can’t exceed more than 50% of the land surrounding the property.