Do I need planning permission?

Permitted Development rights allow certain types of home improvement work without needing to submit a full planning application, provided the project stays within defined limits on size, height and position.

These rights don't apply everywhere. Conservation areas, listed buildings, and properties where rights have previously been removed by a planning condition are common exceptions.

Projects that exceed Permitted Development size limits, sit close to a boundary in a restricted way, or significantly alter the appearance of the property from the street will usually need a full application.

Some projects also require Building Regulations approval even when planning permission isn't needed. These are separate processes that cover different things: planning is about whether you can build something; Building Regulations are about whether it's built safely and to standard.

Before committing to a design, it's worth establishing what applies to your specific property. Planning history, local authority policy and site-specific factors all play a part, and a design that works for one house on a street may not be permitted on the house next door.