Permitted Development Rights
What is Permitted Development? How to get Permitted Development?
Drawing and Planning will submit an application for permitted development on your behalf. This usually requires drawings to be submitted. Please read below to see if your property falls under permitted development or contact us for further information.
Under new regulations that came into effect on 1 October 2008 an extension or addition to your home is 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"* would be covered by additions or
other buildings.
- No extension forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway.
- No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
- Maximum depth of a single-storey rear extension of three metres for an attached house and four
metres for a detached house.
- Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four metres.
- Maximum depth of a rear extension of more than one storey of three metres including ground
floor.
- Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of four metres and width no more than
half that of the original house.
- Two-storey extensions no closer than seven metres to rear boundary.
- Roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey to match existing house.
- Maximum eaves height of an extension within two metres of the boundary of three metres.
- Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than existing house.
- Materials to be similar in appearance to the existing house.
- No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
- Upper-floor, side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor.
- On designated land* no permitted development for rear extensions of more than one storey.
- On designated* land no cladding of the exterior.
- On designated* land no side extensions.
* Designated land includes national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.
Permitted Development Legislation
All works which are development require planning permission. However, some development is permitted without the requirement to submit a formal planning application because it is granted automatically by Article 3 of the General Permitted Development Order 1995.
These works are described in Schedule 2 of the General Permitted Development Order, this is otherwise known as "Permitted Development" (PD).
If you need any more information or advice on Permitted Development get in touch with one of our consultants today.
The rules of what is 'Permitted Development' changed with effect from the 1st October 2008.
Details of changes are below and please find links to relevant documents on the government planning portal.
You can make certain types of minor changes to your house without needing to apply for planning permission. These are called "permitted development rights" and are described in this guide. They derive from a general planning permission granted not by the local authority but by Parliament. Bear in mind that the permitted development rights which apply to many common projects for houses do not apply to flats, maisonettes or other buildings.
In some areas of the country, known generally as 'designated areas', permitted development rights are more restricted. If you live in a Conservation Area, a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the Norfolk or Suffolk Broads, you will need to apply for planning permission for certain types of work which do not need an application in other areas.
Permitted Development Rights Withdrawn
You should also note that the local planning authority may have removed some of your permitted development rights by issuing an Article 4 direction. This will mean that you have to submit a planning application for work which normally does not need one.
Article 4 directions are made when the character of an area of acknowledged importance would be threatened. They are most common in conservation areas. You will probably know if your property is affected by such a direction, but you can check with the local planning authority if you are not sure.