Do I need planning permission?
You do not always need planning permission, see below for standard projects. As the planning laws are being constantly updated, you must contact your local council for the latest guidance before you begin work.
Closed Planning Help Accordion
Project: Single Storey Extension
For your single storey extension to be permitted development it will need to comply with the following – for the full list of rules visit the planning portal. Our information is for guidance only and we always recommend you apply for a certficate from your local council before work commences.
Extensions and other outbuildings must not exceed 50% of the area of the land around the original house
The extension must not be forward of the principal elevation of the house
On designated land side extensions are not permitted development
Side extensions must not be wider than half of the width of the original house
Side extensions must be single storey with a maximum height of 4m
Single storey rear extensions to have a maximum height of 4m
If the extension is within 2m of a boundary then it should have a maximum eaves height of 3m
Single storey rear extensions must not extend beyond the rear of the original house by more than 3m for an attached house or 4m for a detached house – these limits have been increased until May 2019 by way of a neighbour consultation scheme to 6m if attached house and 8m for a detached house so long as you are outside of designated land or sites of scientific interest
For full info, see the planning portal mini-guide – https://interactive.planningportal.co.uk/mini-guide/extensions-single-storey
Project: Two Storey Extension
For your two storey extension to be permitted development it will need to comply with the following – for the full list of rules visit the planning portal. Our information is for guidance only and we always recommend you apply for a certficate from your local council before work commences.
Maximum eaves and ridge must not be higher than the existing house but if the extension is within two metres of a boundary then the maximum eaves height is 3m
The extension must not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than 3m or be within 7m of any boundary opposite the rear wall of the house
Any upper-floor window must be obscure glazed and non-opening
No balconies or verandas
Mini guide – https://interactive.planningportal.co.uk/mini-guide/extensions-two-storey
Project: Conservatory
For your conservatory to be permitted development it will need to comply with the following – for the full list of rules visit the planning portal. Our information is for guidance only and we always recommend you apply for a certficate from your local council before work commences.
Conservatories (including previous extensions and other outbuildings) must not exceed 50% of the area of the land around the original house
The conservatory must not be forward of the principal elevation of the house
On designated land conservatories extending beyond any side wall of the original house are not permitted development
Side conservatories must not be wider than half of the width of the original house
Side conservatories must be single storey with a maximum height of 4m
Single storey rear extensions to have a maximum height of 4m
If the conservatory is within 2m of a boundary then it should have a maximum eaves height of 3m
Single storey rear conservatories must not extend beyond the rear of the original house by more than 3m for an attached house or 4m for a detached house – these limits have been increased until May 2019 by way of a neighbour consultation scheme to 6m if attached house and 8m for a detached house so long as you are outside of designated land or sites of scientific interest
Mini guide – https://interactive.planningportal.co.uk/mini-guide/conservatory
Project: Detached Outbuilding or Garage
For your detached outbuilding or garage to be permitted development it will need to comply with the following – for the full list of rules visit the planning portal. Our information is for guidance only and we always recommend you apply for a certficate from your local council before work commences.
Must not be forward of the principal elevation of the original house
Must be single storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5m and a maximum height of 4m (3m for a mono-pitched roof)
If it is within 2m of a boundary the building cannot be higher than 2.5m
No balconies or verandas
Mini guide – https://interactive.planningportal.co.uk/mini-guide/outbuildings
Project: Porch
For your porch to be permitted development it will need to comply with the following – for the full list of rules visit the planning portal. Our information is for guidance only and we always recommend you apply for a certficate from your local council before work commences.
External ground area must not exceed 3m²
Height not to exceed 3m
No part of the porch to be within 2m of any boundary that fronts a highway
Mini guide – https://interactive.planningportal.co.uk/mini-guide/porches
Project: Loft Conversion
For your loft conversion to be permitted development it will need to comply with the following – for the full list of rules visit the planning portal. Our information is for guidance only and we always recommend you apply for a certficate from your local council before work commences.
Volume of additional roof space created does not exceed 40m³ for terraces houses or 50m³ for semi or detached houses
No extension beyond the plane of the existing roof on the principal elevation that fronts the highway
No part of the extension to be higher than the existing roof
No verandas balconies or raised platforms
Any side-facing windows must be obscure glazed and non-opening
Roof extensions (apart from hip to gable ones) to be set back a minimum of 200mm from the original eaves, the roof enlargement cannot overhang the outer face of the wall of the original house
The house must not be on designated land
For full info, see the planning portal mini-guide – https://interactive.planningportal.co.uk/mini-guide/loft-conversion