Permitted Development 2024

If your  Single Storey Extension falls under your permitted development rights in London then you will not need to apply for planning consent from your local council. However, the following restrictions must be observed: 

1: Cladding of the outside of your property (for example with stone, pebble, render, timber, tiles or plastic) is not PD as any materials used must closely reflect the existing materiality of the building. 

2: Extensions should not exceed 50% of the land around the existing property. Remember to include any existing extensions/outbuildings in your calculation of this limit. 

3: If the planned permitted development extension protrudes beyond the front or side elevation and faces a public road, then it will not be considered PD. 

4: Side extensions must be a single storey and not extend beyond 50% of the width of the original property. 

5: Your side extensions can be one storey, up to a maximum of 3m in height. 

6: Permitted development rules allow a maximum eaves height of three metres if the extension is close to the plot boundary (within 2m). 

7: Your single-storey rear extension can extend back from the original property by up to 3m, for a terraced house – or by up to 4m for a detached house. If it is not designated land or a site of Special Scientific Interest, you can go up to 6m or 8m metres for terraced, semi-detached and detached houses respectively under prior approval – scroll down for more information! 

8: Permitted development Rules allow a maximum height of 4m for single storey rear extensions if dual pitched, with a maximum height of 3m at the eaves. If a flat roof, this is limited to 3m across the whole extension. 

9: The ridge and eaves height for a permitted development extension cannot be higher than the original property – applicable for bungalow single storey extensions!

If your  Loft Conversion  falls under your permitted development rights in London then you will not need to apply for planning consent from your local council. However, the following restrictions must be observed:

1. On designated land, loft conversions will not be a PD 
2. To be a Permitted Development any additional roof space created must not exceed these volume allowances:
   40m3 on terraced or semi-detached houses
   50m3 on detached houses 
3. Permitted Developments do not include extending proud of the existing roof slope plane on the front elevation if it faces a road. 
4. Use materials which appear similar to the existing property. 
5. Your permitted development extension cannot be higher than the highest point on the existing roof. 
6. PDs do not include balconies, verandas or raised platforms. 
7. A side window should be obscured and not able to be opened, unless the opening mechanism is situated at least 1.7m above its respective room floor. 
8. Roof extensions should be set back, as far as reasonably feasible by at least 20cm from the eaves, unless it is a hip or gable roof (measure the 20cm along the plane of the roof). The roof extension should not hang over the wall of the house. 
9. Your roof or loft project might have an impact on any existing bats. For this kind of work you will need a survey and possibly a licence to proceed. 

Read to know more about the dormer loft conversion cost in the UK.

Many homeowners need additional space, and we find that a common trait of all of our projects is the need for an extended porch or a new outbuilding. You may be in luck, as these are considered within permitted development rules if the following rules are followed! 

Porch Extensions: 

1. The total area of the porch must not exceed 3m2 (measured externally). 
2. No part of the extended porch shall be greater than 3m from the existing ground level. 
3. No part of the porch should be within 2m of the public highway (including pedestrian walkways). 

Outbuildings: 

1. No outbuilding should be constructed on land forward of the principal (front) elevation. 
2. Outbuildings and garages should be built to a height of no more than 2.5m at the eaves and a maximum of 4m if dual pitched. If any other roof type is proposed, this should have a maximum height of 3m. 
3. When within 2m of a shared boundary, the maximum height of the outbuilding should be 2.5m. 
4. No verandas, balconies or raised platforms are considered to be PD. Raised platforms will need planning permission if over 30cm height from the existing ground level. 
5. No more than 50% of the land surrounding the dwelling should be covered by outbuildings.

Other elements of construction that are often considered to be permitted development (not requiring planning permission) include: 

1. Solar panels (other than on the front roof slope). 
2. Replacement of doors/windows. 
3. Repairs to the property including any walls and the roof. 
4. Additional skylights/roof windows or dormer windows – subject to the volume increase allowance for your type of building (See loft conversions permitted development). 

It is important to always check if you are in a conservation area or other designated land if you are looking to make these changes, as even though they may seem minor, you may not have access to permitted development rights in London if so! 

In 2019, the UK government announced their plan to introduce the ‘Larger Home Extensions Scheme’, allowing homeowners to extend their property by even more than the previous PD guidelines allowed – WITHOUT applying for full planning permission. This decision was made to allow families the freedom to grow without being forced to move house, by extending their home to meet their requirements without having to battle their local planning authority for the right to do so. 

In 2020, the government saw the great potential and effectiveness of the then-temporary allowance, and in fact proclaimed that the scheme be extended indefinitely, realising the huge potential that it had for the benefit of both the people and the economy. 

Nowadays, the larger home extensions scheme is a branch of your permitted development rights, also known as prior approval, which comes with several additional criteria to meet before building your dream extension. Essentially, it is important to note that the normal permitted development rights have remained the same, but homeowners are given the opportunity to apply for prior approval from their neighbours (not your local council – a common misconception) to extend further. For example, for a terraced or semi-detached house, you could extend up to 6m instead of just 3m, and for a detached house, you could extend up to 8m instead of 4m! 

The UK government has provided technical guidance on PD, which includes detailed information on what changes are allowed and what conditions must be met. This guidance is intended to help homeowners understand their rights and obligations when making changes to their properties. 

In London, permitted development rules are subject to a number of additional restrictions and requirements, due to the city’s unique planning challenges. For example, in some parts of London, the government has introduced Article 4 directions, which remove certain types of permitted development rights in London in order to preserve the character of the area. 

The technical guidance on PD covers a wide range of topics, including the following: 

Extensions and conservatories:  The guidance sets out the maximum dimensions for extensions and conservatories that can be built without planning permission, as well as other requirements such as the materials that can be used. 

Roof alterations:  Homeowners are allowed to make certain types of alterations to their roofs without planning permission, such as installing roof lights or skylights. The guidance sets out the specific conditions that must be met. 

Change of use:  In some cases, homeowners may be able to change the use of their property without planning permission, such as converting a garage into a living space. The guidance sets out the specific conditions that must be met. 

Outbuildings:  Homeowners are allowed to build certain types of outbuildings without planning permission, such as sheds and summerhouses. The guidance sets out the maximum dimensions and other requirements that must be met. 

Permitted development rights in conservation areas:  Homeowners in conservation areas are subject to additional restrictions on PD. The guidance sets out the specific conditions that must be met in order to carry out certain types of changes. 

It is important to note that even if a proposed change falls within the permitted development rules, it may still be subject to other regulations, such as building regulations or health and safety requirements. Homeowners are advised to seek professional advice before undertaking any major changes to their properties.