Do I need planning permission for an extension or conservatory?
If you live in a flat or maisonette you will need to apply for planning permission for an extension or conservatory.
If you live in a house, an extension or addition to your home such as a conservatory will be considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:
No more than half the area of land around the 'original house' should be covered by additions or other buildings.
No extension should be built forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway.
No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
The maximum depth of a single-storey rear extension is 3m for an attached house and 4m for a detached house.
The maximum height of a single-storey rear extension is 4m.
The maximum depth of a rear extension of more than one storey is 3m including the ground floor.
The maximum eaves height should be 3m if the extension is within 2m of any boundary.
The maximum eaves and ridge heights of the extension should be no higher than those of the existing house.
Side extensions may only be single storey, with a maximum height of 4m, and the width must be no more than half that of the original house.
Two-storey extensions must be no closer than 7m to the rear boundary.
The roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey should match that of the existing house.
Materials used in construction should be similar in appearance to those used for the existing house.
No verandas, balconies or raised platforms are permitted.
Upper-floor, side-facing windows must be obscure-glazed and any opening part of the window must be 1.7m above the internal floor level.
In conservation areas:
No rear extensions of more than one storey are permitted.
No cladding of the exterior is permitted.
No side extensions are permitted.
‘Highway’ means any carriageway, footway or verge over which the public have a right to pass.
‘Original house’ means as it was originally built or as it stood on 1 July 1948.
Please note: most extensions require approval under the Building Regulations.
Additional points
You may need to apply for planning permission if you live in an Article 4 Direction Area. Please refer to our leaflets "Article 4 Direction, A Householders Guide to the Legislation".
Even if you live in a relatively new property, such as the Napsbury or Hill End/Cell Barnes Lane developments, it is possible that permitted development rights have been removed by a planning condition imposed upon your house before it was built and you may need planning permission. The history of your property must be checked before undertaking any external alterations, in order to determine whether your permitted development rights have been removed.
If your home is a Listed Building you will need Listed Building consent
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Do I need planning permission for a porch?
Do I need planning permission for a porch?
If you live in a flat or maisonette you will need to apply for planning permission for a porch.
If you live in a house you will need to apply for planning permission if the porch:
Is higher than 3 metres above ground level.
Has a ground area of more than 3 square meters (measured externally).
Is less than 2 metres away from the highway.
The above also applies if you live in a Conservation Area.
Additional points
You may need to apply for planning permission if you live in an Article 4 Direction Area. Please refer to leaflets "Article 4 Direction, A Householders Guide to the Legislation".
Even if you live in a relatively new property, such as the Napsbury or Hill End/Cell Barnes Lane developments, it is possible that permitted development rights have been removed by a planning condition imposed upon your house before it was built and you may need planning permission. The history of your property must be checked before undertaking any external alterations, in order to determine whether your permitted development rights have been removed.
If your home is a Listed Building you will need Listed Building consent.
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Do I need planning permission for a shed/detached garage/ summerhouse?
If you live in a flat or maisonette you will need to apply for planning permission for a shed/detached garage/summerhouse.
If you live in a house you will not need planning permission if the shed/detached garage/summerhouse complies with the following conditions:
No outbuilding forward of the principal elevation fronting a highway.
Outbuildings and garages to be single storey with maximum eaves height of 2.5m and maximum overall height of 4m with a dual pitched roof or 3m for any other roof.
Maximum height 2.5m within 2m of a boundary.
No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
No more than half the area of land around the 'original house' would be covered by additions or other buildings.
In conservation areas buildings, enclosures, containers and pools at the side of properties will require planning permission.
Within the curtilage of listed buildings any outbuilding will require planning permission.
Additional points:
Even if you live in a relatively new property, such as the Napsbury or Hill End/Cell Barnes Lane developments, it is possible that permitted development rights have been removed by a planning condition imposed upon your house before it was built and you may need planning permission. The history of your property must be checked before undertaking any external alterations, in order to determine whether your permitted development rights have been removed.
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