Permitted Development

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended), which is often referred to as the GPDO', allows for certain types of development to be undertaken without the prior need for a planning application to be submitted or approved by the Local Planning Authority. This is typically known as 'Permitted Development'.

Home Improvements and Extensions

This means that there are a number of minor changes that you can make to your home without needing to apply to the Local Planning Authority for planning permission. However, not all properties have the benefit of Permitted Development Rights.

If you are proposing to undertake a home improvement project, we encourage you to explore the guidance available on the Planning Portal (opens new window) to determine whether planning permission is required. The Planning Portal contains information on common projects as well as an interactive house (opens new window).

More specifically, the Planning Portal (opens new window) offers information for some common domestic projects, such as:#

• Single storey extensions to residential properties (opens new tab)
• Two storey extensions to residential properties (opens new tab)
• Construction of additional storeys (opens new tab)
• Conservatories (opens new tab)
• Loft conversions (opens new tab)
• Outbuildings within a residential garden (including garages, sheds and other ancillary garden buildings) (opens new tab)
• Garage conversions (opens new tab)
• Decking (opens new tab)
• Porches (opens new tab)
• Fences, gates, walls and means of enclosure (opens new tab)
• Solar panels (opens new tab)
• Satellite, TV and radio antennas (opens new tab)

Further guidance can be found on a number of these projects through the 'Permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance'.

Restrictions that may affect your property

Not all properties have the benefit of Permitted Development Rights. Some properties including (But not limited to) flats, properties within conservation areas, listed buildings or those with Article 4 directions may have had their Permitted Development Rights removed, or may not comply with the criteria in any event.

In some instances, the Local Planning Authority may need to restrict permitted development rights, particularly in sensitive areas, and the GPDO allows us to do this through 'Article 4'. Local Planning Authority's may also restrict or limit permitted development rights through the use of conditions on a planning approval, typically where it is considered that additional development would imapct adversely upon amenities, or within historically sensitive locations.

You should check whether any of these apply to your property before commencing with development.

Other Development

You will generally need planning permission to construct a new building (such as a residential dwelling), make significant alterations to a building or change the use of a building or land. However, there are Permitted Development Rights that allow certain development, including changes of use, without the prior need for a planning application to be submitted or approved by the Local Planning Authority. In addition, there are is further development that can be 'permitted' through a route known as 'Prior Approval'.

The Planning Portal offers information for some common projects, such as:

•  Change of use (opens new tab)
•  Electric vehicle chargers (opens new tab)
• Solar panels Non-domestic (opens new tab)

​​​​​​​The Planning Portal also has information about:

 Warehouses and industrial buildings (opens new tab)

Displaying advertisements and signage (opens new tab)

Permitted Development - Unsure if your development is permitted development?

If you are unsure whether your project or development is 'Permitted development', the Local Planning Authority can provide formal written confirmation through a Lawful Development Certificate.

A Lawful Development Certificate can provide additional certainty that the existing use of a building, or the development you are proposing (or have carried out) is lawful for planning purposes. Details on this application can be found via the planning portal: Lawful Development Certificates (opens new tab).

Planning officers can assist by advising the appropriate Part and Class of the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) pertaining to your project. However, officers will not provide verbal or written confirmation as to whether a specific development is Permitted Development or confirm if development is in accordance with the requirements of the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO), unless a Lawful Development Certificate is submitted. Pre-application Advice Enquiries that are submitted to the Local Planning Authority that seek this confirmation will not obtain written confirmation, but simply advised of the most appropriate Part of the GPDO.

As such, customers will be advised to self-serve through the planning portal. If confirmation is required, you will be advised to submit a Lawful Development Certificate.