Permitted Development

Permitted development allows for minor alterations to be made to your property without the need for a planning application.

Whilst the rules are simple enough, there are very specific exigencies to comply with the Permitted development requirements and it is best to take advice.

We normally recommend that a 'Certificate of Lawfulness' is applied for, which will officially confirm that your development complies with the regulations. The main advantage with this approach being that it quickly answers most questions that a lender, a solicitor or a neighbour might ask. Either now or in the future.

We can review your project and provide a clear idea of whether it qualifies for permitted development or not. We can take care of everything and can also assist with plans and advice about building regulations.

Is your project classed as Permitted Development?

Permitted development rights allow householders to improve and extend their homes without the need to apply for planning permission where that would be out of proportion with the impact of works carried out.

Find out about your specific requirements below...

This guidance pertains to any type of rear extension on your property, including side-return extensions or full-width expansions.

Depth Guidelines:

For single-storey rear extensions:

Semi-detached, terraced, or link-detached homes: Extensions can extend up to 3 metres from the rear wall of the original property.
Detached homes: Extensions can extend up to 4 metres from the rear wall of the original property.

If you wish to extend further, you can apply for prior approval to build:

Up to 6 metres for semi-detached, terraced, or link-detached homes.
Up to 8 metres for detached homes.

Prior approval must be obtained before starting construction. Your local authority will consult with your neighbours to assess the impact, particularly regarding the ‘right to light’, before determining if prior approval is necessary.

Height Restrictions:

The maximum height for a single-storey rear extension is 4 metres.
Any part of the extension within 2 metres of your neighbor’s boundary must not exceed 3 metres in height.

Area Limitations:

Extensions must not extend beyond the sides of the house.
The total area of extensions, including outbuildings and sheds, must not cover more than 50% of the land surrounding the original property.
Extensions must not come within 7 metres of the rear property boundary.

Design and Materials:

The materials used for the extension should closely match the appearance of the original house to ensure consistency and aesthetic harmony.

If you need additional bedroom space, a two-storey extension could be a practical option and may even fall within permitted development rights. Here’s what you need to know about adding a two-storey extension to your property:

Location and Placement:

Two-storey extensions are only allowed at the rear of your property. You cannot build them on the front or side elevations, meaning they must be positioned solely at the back of your home.

Extension Depth Limits:

Semi-detached, terraced, or link-detached homes: The extension can extend up to 3 metres from the rear wall.
Detached homes: Extensions can extend up to 4 metres from the original rear wall.

Height Restrictions:

The new extension’s ridge and eaves cannot be taller than the existing house’s roofline.
If any part of the roof is built within 2 metres of your neighbour’s boundary, it must not exceed a height of 3 metres.

Coverage and Area Limits:

All extensions, along with existing structures like sheds or outbuildings, must not cover more than 50% of the land surrounding the original house.

Appearance and Style:

The roof’s pitch and style must match the original house’s design.
Materials such as roof tiles and external finishes should closely resemble those used on the existing property.
Second-storey windows should have obscured glass for privacy, and any parts that open must be installed at least 1.7 metres above the floor level.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your two-storey extension complies with permitted development rules and blends seamlessly with your home’s existing structure.

Adding a side extension is an excellent way to increase your ground-floor living space. While building a two-storey side extension falls outside the scope of permitted development rights, there are still several options available that don’t require planning permission. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what you can achieve without the need for a formal planning application:

Width Restrictions:

The maximum width of your side extension must not exceed half the width of the original property. For example, if your home is 10 metres wide, your extension can be no wider than 5 metres.

Depth Limits:

The extension can extend into the rear garden by up to 3 metres for semi-detached, terraced, or link-detached homes.
For detached properties, the extension can project up to 4 metres beyond the rear wall of the original house.

Height Limitations:

The maximum height of the side extension is 4 metres.
If any part of the roof is within 2 metres of a neighbouring property boundary, the height must not exceed 3 metres.

Proximity to Property Boundaries:

While there are no specific regulations regarding how close your extension can be to a neighbour’s boundary, it’s advisable to inform your neighbours about your plans to avoid any potential disputes or concerns.

Wrap-Around Extensions:

Full-width wrap-around extensions that span both the side and rear of the property are not allowed under permitted development rights.
However, a partial wrap-around extension is acceptable as long as the combined width of the extension at its widest point does not exceed half the width of the original house.

Appearance and Design:

The materials used for the extension must closely match the appearance of the existing house, including similar roof styles, bricks, and external finishes. This helps ensure that the new addition blends seamlessly with the original structure.

By following these guidelines, you can successfully add a single-storey side extension to your home, enhancing your living space while staying within the limits of permitted development.

Modern Extension on Traditional Building

There are several styles of loft conversions, each designed to enhance your living space based on your specific needs and the characteristics of your property. Here’s an overview of the main types:

Types of Loft Conversions

Roof Light Conversion: This is the simplest option, involving only internal modifications and the addition of roof lights (like Velux windows) to the existing roof without altering its structure.
Dormer Conversion: This style involves adding a box-shaped extension that projects vertically from the existing roof slope, creating additional headroom and usable floor space.
Hip-to-Gable Conversion: This conversion transforms a sloped side roof into a vertical gable wall, significantly increasing the interior space.

You can mix and match different styles in a single project. For example, dormer windows can be integrated to enhance head height in a hip-to-gable. Regardless of the type you choose, the following regulations apply:

Street View:

Under permitted development rules, dormers cannot be placed on the front elevation of the property (the side facing the street). Only roof lights are allowed, which can extend up to 15cm from the roof surface.

Height Limitations:

The new loft structure must not surpass the highest point of the existing roof.

Volume Restrictions:

The total increase in roof volume is limited to 50 cubic metres for detached and semi-detached houses, while terraced homes may increase by up to 40 cubic metres.
Any dormer must be set back at least 20cm from the eaves.

Access Requirements:

Staircases leading to the loft must provide a minimum headroom clearance of 2 metres to comply with building regulations.

Design and Appearance:

Windows on the side of the house must be frosted, with any opening parts positioned at least 1.7 metres above the floor to ensure privacy.
While balconies and verandas are not allowed, Juliet balconies without a platform are permitted.
New roof tiles and windows should closely match the existing materials to maintain a cohesive appearance.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can successfully enhance your home with a loft conversion that meets regulatory standards and seamlessly blends with your existing structure.

Interior Render of Loft Conversion w/ Balcony

Porches

When adding a porch, remember that no extension can extend beyond the front elevation of your home, which faces the street. For example, if you want to install a new bay window, you’ll need planning permission, as it would go past this boundary.

The only allowed development for the front elevation is a porch, which must follow these rules:

Maximum footprint: 3 square metres
Maximum height: 3 metres
Setback requirement: The porch must be at least 2 metres away from your property boundaries and the road.

Garden Rooms and Outbuildings

Garden rooms are considered 'outbuildings' and can be built under permitted development rules. These regulations apply to structures within your property that are not attached to your main house. Outbuildings can include: Garages, Summer houses, Sheds, Tennis courts, Swimming pools, Ponds and/or Containers for heating oil.

Positioning of Outbuildings

Outbuildings cannot extend beyond the front elevation of your house.

Height Restrictions

Outbuildings can be up to 4 metres high with a dual-pitched roof.
For flat roofs, the height must not exceed 3 metres.
If the roof is within 2 metres of your neighbour’s boundary, it must also be a maximum of 3 metres high.

Area Limitations

The total area of an outbuilding must not be more than half the original footprint of your house as it stood when built or as it was on 1 July 1948 for older homes.

Features

You can have decking around your outbuilding, but you cannot build verandas or platforms that are higher than 0.3 metres.

Exterior View of Accessibility Conversion

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