Do you need planning permission?
Answer a few quick questions about your property and the work you're planning, and get an indicative answer in under two minutes. Free, with no sign-up.
The limits are stricter than they look
Many extensions, loft conversions and outbuildings don't need a full planning application. They fall under Permitted Development: national rules that grant automatic permission within set limits. The catch is that those limits are strict, and going a few centimetres over changes the outcome entirely.
Please read before you start. This checks your project against the main national Permitted Development limits for houses in England. It can't see your property, its planning history or any local restrictions, so treat the result as a starting point, not a final answer. Confirm with your local planning authority, or apply for a Lawful Development Certificate, before starting work.
What type of property is it?
Is the property a listed building?
Is it in a conservation area, Article 4 direction area, National Park or National Landscape (AONB)?
What are you planning to build?
The details
"Original" means the house as first built (or as it stood on 1 July 1948), not as it is now if it's already been extended.
Will it be taller than your existing roof ridge?
Will it be taller than your existing house?
Will it come within 7 metres of the rear boundary?
Will it come within 2 metres of a boundary?
Will it have a dual-pitched (apex) roof?
Will it be used for sleeping accommodation?
Will extensions and outbuildings together cover more than half the land around the original house?
What's allowed under Permitted Development
Based on the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, as amended, for houses. Always confirm your specific case with a Lawful Development Certificate.
VP / TOOLS / PD
Single-storey rear extensions
Usually allowed
- Up to 4m deep (detached) or 3m (semi-detached or terraced) under standard Permitted Development
- Up to 8m (detached) or 6m (semi-detached or terraced) under the Larger Home Extension scheme, via Prior Approval
- Up to 4m high, with materials similar in appearance to the house
Usually needs full planning
- Eaves over 3m high within 2m of a boundary
- Going beyond the Larger Home Extension limits
- Building forward of the principal elevation facing a road
Double-storey rear extensions
Usually allowed
- Up to 3m deep, for every type of house (no Larger Home Extension option)
- At least 7m from the rear boundary
- Ridge and eaves no higher than the existing house
Usually needs full planning
- Depth over 3m
- Within 7m of the rear boundary
- Upper-floor side windows that aren't obscure-glazed and non-opening below 1.7m
Side extensions
Usually allowed
- Single storey, up to 4m high
- Up to half the width of the original house
Usually needs full planning
- Two-storey side extensions
- Any side extension in a conservation area, National Park or National Landscape
- Wider than half the original house
Loft conversions
Usually allowed
- Up to 40m³ of extra roof volume (terraced houses)
- Up to 50m³ of extra roof volume (semi-detached and detached houses)
- Materials similar in appearance to the existing roof
Usually needs full planning
- Going higher than the existing roof ridge
- Dormers on a roof slope facing the road
- Volume beyond the limits for your type of house
Outbuildings & garden rooms
Usually allowed
- Single storey, with eaves up to 2.5m
- Up to 4m high with a dual-pitched roof, or 3m with any other roof
- Up to 2.5m high within 2m of a boundary
Usually needs full planning
- Used as sleeping accommodation
- Extensions and outbuildings covering more than half the land around the house
- Positioned forward of the principal elevation
Always removed, whatever the size: listed buildings (which need planning permission and listed building consent), flats and maisonettes (which have no Permitted Development rights for extensions), and any property where an Article 4 direction has removed these rights.
Get a definitive answer, not just an indicative one.
Book a free consultation and we'll assess your property and project, including any Article 4 directions or conservation area restrictions that affect it.
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