Types of permitted development
Guidance notes are available below for the following classes of development:
Part 1, Classes A and D - The enlargement, improvement or other alteration of a dwellinghouse and construction of porches (does not include a roof alteration, veranda, balcony or raised platform higher than 300mm, a microwave antenna or chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe and, in Conservation Area or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the cladding of any part of the exterior of the dwellinghouse).
Part 1, Classes B and C - Addition or alteration of roof of dwellinghouse.
Part 1, Class E - Any building, enclosure, swimming or other pool required for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse or a container used for the storage of domestic heating oil or petroleum gas (does not include a veranda, balcony or raised platform higher than 300mm, or a microwave antenna).
Part 1, Class F - The provision, replacement (in whole or part) of a hard surface within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse).
Part 1 - Class G - The installation, alteration or replacement of a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe on a dwellinghouse.
Part 1 - Class H - The installation, alteration or replacement of a microwave antenna on a dwellinghouse or within its curtilage.
New or replacement driveways
Planning permission is not required for a new or replacement driveway of any size if it uses permeable (or porous) surfacing such as gravel, permeable concrete block paving or porous asphalt, or if the rainwater is directed to a lawn or border to drain naturally.
The government's guidance on the permeable surfacing of front gardens explains the different type of permeable surfaces available and contains guidance on the design and construction of permeable driveways.
If the surface to be covered is more than five square metres, planning permission will be required for laying traditional, impermeable driveways that do not provide for the water to run to a permeable area. This is in order to reduce the impact of this type of development on flooding and on pollution of watercourses.
These permitted development rights do not apply to flats, maisonettes or houses that have been created through change of use permitted development rights.
Neighbour consultation scheme on house extensions
A 3m-6m rear extension on an attached house or a 4m-8m rear extension on a detached house is allowed, if the extension is single storey and does not exceed 4m in height. Read full details about this scheme.
Upward extensions of existing dwellinghouse
An upward extension (additional storeys) to your house is allowed consisting of the construction of:
- up to two additional storeys where the existing dwellinghouse consists of two or more storeys; or
- one additional storey, where the existing dwellinghouse consists of one storey, immediately above the topmost storey of any dwellinghouse, together with any engineering operations reasonably necessary for the purpose of that construction.
The fee for this is £96.