Do I Need Planning Permission?
Browse our free guides for 40+ project types. Most are covered by permitted development rights — but the rules depend on size, location, and your property type.
Understanding Permitted Development Rights
Many home improvements — extensions, loft conversions, garages, sheds — can be carried out without planning permission under permitted development (PD) rights. These are automatic rights granted by the government to allow certain types of work without a full planning application.
However, PD rights have limits — on size, height, position, and materials. They are also restricted in conservation areas, national parks, and for listed buildings. Use the guides below to find out whether your specific project needs permission.
Usually NO — Permitted Development
Conservatory
In most cases, NO — a conservatory is usually permitted development and does not need planning permission, provided it meets the size and position limits.
Porch
In most cases, NO — a porch is usually permitted development and does not need planning permission, provided it is within the size limits.
Garage
In most cases, NO — a detached garage is usually permitted development as an outbuilding, provided it meets the size limits.
Garden Room
In most cases, NO — a garden room is usually permitted development as an outbuilding, provided it is within size and height limits and not used as a separate dwelling.
Loft Conversion
In most cases, NO — a loft conversion is usually permitted development, provided it stays within the volume limits and does not alter the roof profile at the front.
Shed
In most cases, NO — a shed is usually permitted development as an outbuilding, provided it is within the size and height limits.
Garage Conversion
In most cases, NO — converting an integral or attached garage to living space is usually permitted development and does not need planning permission.
Solar Panels
In most cases, NO — solar panels on your roof are usually permitted development and do not need planning permission.
Decking
In most cases, NO — decking is usually permitted development if it is low (under 30cm high) and does not cover more than 50% of the garden.
Outbuilding
In most cases, NO — outbuildings such as sheds, studios, and workshops are usually permitted development, provided they meet the size and height limits.
Pergola
In most cases, NO — a pergola is usually permitted development as an outbuilding, provided it is open-sided and meets the height limits.
Velux / Roof Windows
In most cases, NO — installing roof windows (including Velux-style) in the rear of the roof is usually permitted development.
External Render
In most cases, NO — rendering your house does not need planning permission unless you are in a conservation area, AONB, or your property is listed.
Swimming Pool
In most cases, NO — a garden swimming pool (in-ground or above-ground) is usually permitted development as an outbuilding.
Hot Tub
In most cases, NO — a hot tub in the garden is generally treated as garden furniture and does not need planning permission.
Carport
In most cases, NO — a carport at the side or rear of the house is usually permitted development as an outbuilding, provided it is open-sided.
Satellite Dish
In most cases, NO — one satellite dish on your home is usually permitted development, provided it meets size limits and is not on a listed building or prominently positioned in a conservation area.
Log Cabin
In most cases, NO — a log cabin in the garden is usually permitted development as an outbuilding, provided it meets the height and size limits.
Summer House
In most cases, NO — a summer house is usually permitted development as an outbuilding, provided it is within the size and height limits.
IT DEPENDS — Check the Rules
Single-Storey Extension
IT DEPENDS — a single-storey rear extension may be permitted development, but size, position, and location all matter. Side and front extensions are more restricted.
Driveway
IT DEPENDS — a driveway may or may not need planning permission depending on its size and the type of surface you use. Permeable surfaces generally do not need permission.
Fence
IT DEPENDS — most garden fences do not need planning permission, but front garden fences over 1 metre and rear fences over 2 metres do.
Dormer Window
IT DEPENDS — rear dormers are often permitted development, but front dormers on the principal elevation almost always need planning permission.
External Cladding
IT DEPENDS — cladding a house may or may not need planning permission depending on your location, the type of cladding, and whether the appearance would change significantly.
Gates and Pillars
IT DEPENDS — gates and pillars are treated like fences for planning purposes. Front garden gates over 1 metre and side/rear gates over 2 metres need planning permission.
Side Return Extension
A side return extension MIGHT be permitted development if it is single storey, does not exceed 3 metres in depth beyond the rear wall, stays below 4 metres in height, and does not project beyond the principal elevation. However, many side returns require planning permission because they sit within 1 metre of the boundary.
Rear Extension
A single-storey rear extension is often permitted development — up to 3 metres deep for an attached house or 4 metres for a detached house. Under the Neighbour Consultation Scheme you can go up to 6 or 8 metres with prior approval. Double-storey rear extensions almost always need full planning permission.
Flat Roof Extension
A flat roof extension follows the same permitted development rules as a pitched roof extension. A single-storey flat roof extension at the rear is often permitted development if it meets the depth (3m/4m) and height (max 3m at eaves) limits. Adding a balcony or terrace to a flat roof always requires planning permission.
Basement Conversion
Converting an existing basement into habitable space usually does NOT need planning permission. Excavating a new basement, adding a light well, or creating a new entrance does generally require planning permission. Listed buildings always need listed building consent for any basement work.
Chimney Removal
Removing an internal chimney breast or stack is usually permitted development and does not need planning permission. However, in conservation areas the removal of a chimney visible from a highway may need permission, and listed buildings always require listed building consent. Building regulations notification is required for structural chimney removal.
Hardstanding / Driveway
Planning permission for front garden hardstanding depends on whether the surface is permeable. Permeable surfaces (gravel, permeable block paving, grass) are permitted development. Impermeable surfaces (solid concrete, standard tarmac) over 5m² in the front garden require planning permission. Rear garden hardstanding generally does not need planning permission.
Shipping Container
It depends on how you intend to use it. A shipping container used temporarily for storage may be permitted development. Used as a permanent structure or for habitation, planning permission is almost always required. As an outbuilding in the rear garden, it may be PD if it meets Class E size limits.
Garden Wall
Garden walls up to 1 metre high on a boundary with a highway and up to 2 metres high elsewhere are usually permitted development. Taller walls, walls in conservation areas over certain heights, and walls on listed building curtilage require planning permission or listed building consent.
Boundary Fence
Fences up to 1 metre adjacent to a highway and up to 2 metres elsewhere are usually permitted development. Fences over 1 metre in the front garden adjacent to a road need planning permission. Conservation areas and listed building curtilages have additional restrictions.
External Staircase
An internal staircase does not need planning permission. An external staircase to an upper floor is likely to need planning permission — it changes the external appearance of the property and, if it provides independent access to upper floor accommodation, may constitute a material change of use. In conservation areas, external staircases almost always require permission.
Usually YES — Planning Permission Required
Annexe
In most cases, YES — a self-contained annexe with its own kitchen and bathroom usually requires planning permission as a separate dwelling.
Balcony
In most cases, YES — balconies and raised terraces generally require planning permission as they are not covered by permitted development rights.
Dropped Kerb
In most cases, YES — creating a new vehicle access to the highway (dropped kerb) requires permission from your local Highways Authority, and may also need planning permission.
Wrap-Around Extension
In almost all cases, YES — a wrap-around extension combines a rear extension with a side extension, and the side element typically changes the principal elevation or sits within 1 metre of the boundary, both of which require planning permission.
Mobile Home / Park Home
In almost all cases, YES — placing a mobile home on land for permanent residential use requires planning permission. The fact that a structure is technically a "caravan" or "mobile home" does not exempt it from planning control if it is used as a permanent home.
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