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How do you benefit from the changes?

The changes let you carry out some types of building work without needing to pay up to £1000 for planning permission.

If you’re a homeowner, and the building project you want to carry out meets certain conditions, you could save both time and money.

What are the changes to ‘permitted development rights’?

Permitted development rights are minor changes to your home such as fitting an alarm box which you don’t need planning permission for. These rights have been clarified and extended to cover more building projects.

Extensions

You do not need planning permission for an extension (or building a conservatory) as long as it meets certain conditions. For more information, follow the links below.

• Changes to planning permission for extensions Opens new window
• Changes to planning permission for conservatories Opens new window

Loft conversions

You don’t need planning permission for a loft conversion as long as it meets certain conditions. For more information follow the link below.

• Changes to planning permission for loft conversions Opens new window

Paving front gardens

If you pave over your front garden, and the area is constructed using a material that lets water soak into the ground, you won’t need planning permission. You will need planning permission to lay traditional impermeable driveways of more than five square metres that allow rainwater to run off onto roads, which may contribute to flooding.

• Changes to planning permission for paving front gardens Opens new window

Garage conversions

Planning permission will not usually be needed, as long as the work is internal and does not involve enlarging the building.

• Changes to planning permission for garage conversions Opens new window

Changes to other common building projects

There are other building projects which have had changes to permitted development regulations such as:

• conservatories
• solar panels
• outbuildings – like greenhouses,  and sheds
• roof alterations

For information on these building projects and to use an interactive, visual guide on planning and building regulations, follow the links below.

• Information on changes to planning permission for building work Opens new window
• Launch the guide Opens new window

If you are unsure whether planning permission is needed

If you build something which does need planning permission without getting permission first, you may have to put things right later, which could prove costly. If you are in any doubt, contact the planning department of your local authority.

• Find out about planning permission from your local authority Opens new window

More useful links

• Repairs, planning and building regulations
• How to have a greener home: a quick guide