What are permitted development rights?
- nathanpeelarchitec
- Oct 16, 2023
- 4 min read
Overview
As a homeowner, you can carry out certain types of work on your house without the need for planning permission. These are called ‘permitted development rights’.
Any building work done within permitted development will need to meet certain rules which place limitations on the maximum size of extensions and loft conversions.
Luckily, these limits are more generous than you might imagine. There’s a lot you can do to make improvements to your home without the need to go through planning permission and possibly be rejected.
Single storey rear extensions
Maximum depth:
Permitted development for single storey rear extensions allows for a projection of up to 3 meters from the existing rear of the property for semi-detached, terraced and link-detached houses, and by 4 meters for a detached house.
Maximum height:
The maximum height for PD rights is no more than 4 meters. Additionally, any part of the roof falling within 2 meters of the boundaries with your neighbours must be a maximum height of 3 meters.
Maximum area:
Rear extensions must not come out further than the side of the house, and you can’t cover more than half of the land around the original dwelling (including outbuildings and sheds). The extension also must not come within 7 meters of the rear property boundary.
Appearance:
Your choice of materials must be similar in appearance to the original house.
Single storey side extensions
You can add extra downstairs living space to your house with a single storey side extension. Two storey side extensions don not fall under permitted development rights however below will take a look at what’s achievable without going through planning permission:
Maximum width:
Side extensions must not exceed half the width of the original house.
Maximum depth:
The side extension can extend out further than the back of the house, projecting into the back garden by up to 3 meters for a semi-detached, terraced or link-detached house, or 4 meters if detached, based on the original plans of the building, or as it stood on 1st July 1948 if older.
Maximum height
The highest point of the roof can’t exceed is 4 meters. Any part of the roof falling within 2 meters of your neighbours’ boundaries must be a maximum height of 3 meters.
Property boundary:
There’s no restriction to how close you can go to the boundary with your neighbours, although it is always wise to talk to them about your plans first.
Wrap around:
Full width wrap around extensions aren’t allowed under permitted development rights. But a partial wrap around is permitted, provided the total width of the extension at its widest point does not exceed half the width of the original building.
Appearance:
Your choice of materials must be similar in appearance to the original house.
Two storey extensions
If you need extra bedroom space, you might be surprised to find that a two-story extension may be achievable under your permitted development rights if the following rules are adhered to:
Where can you build?
Two storey extensions can only be built off your property’s rear elevation, but not the side or front elevations.
Maximum depth:
You can extend a maximum of 3 meters from rear elevation on semi-detached, terrace or link-detached house, or up to 4 for a detached house.
Maximum height:
The height of the roof ridge and eaves can’t exceed the height of the ridge and eaves on the original house. Any part of the roof falling within 2 meters of your neighbours’ boundaries must be a maximum height of 3 meters.
Maximum area:
The extension, including any existing extensions and outbuildings, can’t exceed more than 50% of the total land around the house, often referred to as curtilage.
Appearance:
The pitch of the roof should be the same style as the existing roof and tiles and other externals materials should match. The pitch of the new roof should also match the existing house. Any second storey windows must be obscured glass and their opening parts must be at least 1.7 meters above the floor.
Loft conversions / extensions
There are a few different types of loft conversion. These include:
Roof lights only – this is the most straight forward option, which usually this involves interior changes only, with the simple addition of Velux-style windows to the existing roof
Dormer conversion
Hip-to-gable conversions
L-shaped
One or more different types of loft conversion can be used in a single project. The following regulations apply to them all:
Street scene:
Dormers can’t be built on the principal elevation of the house under permitted development (this is usually the side that faces the street). The only change at the front can be Velux style windows which can project up to 15cm from the roof surface, unless in a conservation area.
Maximum height:
Loft conversions can’t be higher than the highest point of the current roof. This includes new dormer extensions.
Maximum volume:
The total increase in roof volume can’t exceed 50 cubic meters for a detached or semi-detached house, or 40 cubic meters for a terrace. Dormers must be set back a minimum of 20cm from the eaves.
Access:
The loft staircase must have at least 2 meters head height clearance otherwise it will not meet Building Regulations. If the house is now 3 storeys after the loft conversion, you will also need to create a 'protected stairwell' which means that the doors on the stairwell will need to be fire doors.
Appearance:
New windows on the side of the house must be frosted and their opening parts must be at least 1.7m from the floor. Balconies or verandas are not permitted, but Juliet balconies that have no platform are allowed. All new roof tiles and windows must match the existing property.
Conclusions
There are many options available under Permitted development. This guide is non-exhaustive and if you live in a conservation area or an area that has an Article 4 directive in place then the rules for you will be different. If in doubt, it is recommended that you get in touch with your Local Authority, or an Architectural professional. Here at Peel Architecture we thrive on ensuring that people gain the most from their homes and we'd be happy to help out! Just fill out an enquiry form on the main services page!
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