Permitted Development: Full Explanation

Permitted development is a set of rules in the UK that allow certain types of building work or changes to be made to a property without the need to apply for planning permission. These rules are set by the government and are intended to allow property owners to make small changes or improvements to their properties without the need for a full planning application. 

Permitted development rights can vary depending on the type of property and the type of work proposed, but generally, they allow for things like:

• Building small extensions to a house
• Converting a loft or garage
• Adding a porch
• Building a small outbuilding, like a shed or greenhouse
• Installing certain types of windows
• Changing the use of a building from one type of use to another (e.g. from office to residential)

UK Gov Permitted Development Rights linked here.‍

Permitted Development rights for houses are more generous than for other types of buildings, such as flats, maisonettes, and commercial buildings.

Technicalities

For houses, the PD rights allow for:

• A single-story rear extension of up to 4 metres for detached houses, and 3 metres for semi-detached and terraced houses.
• A two-story rear extension of up to 8 metres for detached houses, and 6 metres for semi-detached and terraced houses, provided that the extension is not within 2 metres of the boundary.
• A porch extension of up to 3 square metres, provided that the porch is no more than 3 metres above ground level.
• The installation of certain types of roof lights, dormer windows, and other roofing features, provided that they do not extend beyond the plane of the existing roof slope.

For other types of buildings, such as flats and maisonettes, the PD rights are more limited. These types of buildings are not generally eligible for extensions or other types of building work under PD rights.

For other types of buildings, such as flats and maisonettes, the PD rights are more limited. These types of buildings are not generally eligible for extensions or other types of building work under PD rights.

It's also worth noting that PD rights do not apply to certain types of buildings, such as listed buildings, conservation areas, and other protected areas. Building work in these areas will always require planning permission.

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One of the main advantages of PD rights is that they allow building work to be carried out quickly and without the need for a planning application.

This can save time and money, and make it easier to carry out small-scale building work. However, it's important to be aware that building work carried out under PD rights can still be subject to building regulations approval, which is required to ensure that the work complies with safety and energy efficiency standards.

Further Information:

The Permitted Development Technical Guide goes into more detail, and illustrates the complexities of understanding the rules. Although the technical guide is thorough, the actual laws are published in the Town and Country Planning Act, which is even more technical, very confusing, and really difficult to interpret.  If you are uncertain whether your proposed development would require planning permission, it's always best to check with your local planning authority or consult with a planning professional.

On this basis whatever it is you are planning to do to your house or flat, if it involves changes to the exterior appearance then you should apply for a Lawful Development Certificate. 

It is always wise to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate if you are making any changes to your home under Permitted Development, particularly if it is to the exterior. These will give you assurance from the planning authority that what you are proposing is legal, they should only take around 28 days to obtain (depending upon the local authority), and in particular if and when you sell your property they can prove to be invaluable in smoothing out the legal process.

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