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FAQs - Permitted Development

You may not even need planning permission!

Most houses throughout England have permitted development rights which allow some alterations and extensions without needing planning permission. 

 

Permitted development (PD) refers to works that the Government has deemed to be acceptable in certain circumstances without the need to apply for planning permission.

 

A few basic rules of thumb:

  • Flats do not have permitted development rights

  • ​Very, very minor changes (like putting up a burglar alarm box) don’t need planning permission as they do not materially alter the appearance of the building.

  • Conservatories do sometimes need planning permission.

  • PD rights do apply in Conservation Areas

  • If your house is a listed building, you will most likely need planning permission for any external changes and you will always need listed building consent for internal and external changes.

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So what may be possible without the need for planning permission?

 

For many properties, quite a lot!

 

  • You may be able extend to the rear and side of your house.

 

  • You may be able to go upwards either into your roof space or to add a whole other (or even two!) floors above your roof.

 

  • You may be able to install a driveway, a porch, a garden studio and/or a swimming pool.

 

  • Items like skylights and new windows may also be allowed.

 

There are limitations to what may be allowed and these rights don’t apply to every house in every situation but people are often quite surprised at how many changes can be made without any formal planning control.

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If you would like an assessment of what may be possible at your property, please get in touch with ADL Planning for a personal quote.

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Properties with special controls like Conservation Areas

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If your property is in a Conservation Area your permitted development rights are slightly restricted, although not as much as some people think.

 

  • You can’t add any volume to a roof in a Conservation Area so a dormer window always requires planning permission.

 

  • You cannot extend to a side elevation of a house in a Conservation Area. This includes wraparound extensions.

 

  • New windows, skylights, porches, garden buildings, swimming pools and rear extensions are all possible using permitted development rights for properties in Conservation Areas.

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What next?

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A really useful Government guide to what can and can’t be done using permitted development rights is available here.

 

It has some handy drawings that help to explain things but if you are still unsure, please do get in touch with ADL Planning for a quote. 

 

Even if you know your works are PD, we would strongly advise that you seek formal confirmation from your Council that the changes you want to make are permitted development before you do any building works. You do this by submitting a Certificate of Lawful Proposed Use or Development (CLPUD) to your Council.

 

This paperwork is the only legal confirmation available to prove that planning permission isn’t required. You will need this if you wish to sell your property in the future.

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If you need help preparing a CLPUD, please get in touch with ADL Planning for a fee quote.

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