
In August of 2020, you may have heard about some changes that were made to your permitted development rights. These changes meant you could do more with your home without the need for planning permission.
Since these changes were introduced, additional information has come to light which might affect how you proceed with your home project. So here’s everything you need to know about permitted development in 2023!
Looking for permitted development advice on a specific home project? Why not book a call with our team?
Permitted development rights are essentially a scheme, created by the government, that allows you to extend/renovate your home without the need for a full planning application.
For some homes in England, this scheme expanded last year to include bigger projects and more options for home improvement. These planning changes included new rules for big developments (such as turning office blocks into flats) but for the purposes of this article, we’ll be focusing on projects everyday homeowners tend to complete.
If you’re a developer and you want some tailored advice, please speak to our team.
The following homes were excluded from any of the changes made last year…
Homes built before 1948 were not affected by the permitted development changes, however existing permitted development rights still apply.
Homes from conservation areas are not excluded from permitted development rights, however they do hold much greater restrictions.
Unsure of whether permitted development rights apply to you?
Book a free consultation with our team.
When permitted development changes were passed last year, many were optimistic about the potential this could offer homeowners when renovating or extending their home. While it continues to offer an extremely viable alternative to planning applications, we have found that local planning authorities are still getting to grips with the new rules and legislation, and their complexity and requirements demand more work than the other rights.
So should we take the permitted development route?
Permitted development is still an extremely attractive option for a wide range of home projects, potentially saving time and money. But it might not be the best course of action for your home. To make sure you make the right decision and get the best support throughout your planning journey, why not get in touch with one of our in-house planning specialists? Book your free advice call here.
So, what can you create with your permitted development rights?
While the scheme might be expanding, there are still a lot of design guidelines your project will need to meet. Because of this, we always recommend you use an experienced architect to put together your drawings.
When combining a side and rear extension to form a ‘wraparound’, the permitted development restrictions will be judged against the criteria for both extensions individually, making it unlikely for the project to fall under your permitted development rights. For instance, side extensions are only permitted development where they are less than half the width of the original dwelling, but when combining a side and rear extension in this manner, it will likely exceed half the width of the original.
While you may be able to create a small side and rear extension within your permitted development rights, the space a full wraparound demands, plus the structural work involved, make it an unlikely candidate for the permitted development route.
To find out what planning options you likely have for a wraparound project, you can book a free consultation here.
Single storey homes are excluded.
You may also need planning permission if you’re changing a detached garage into a living space - such as a bedroom, living room, or small annexe.
Please note: there are many variables which depend on whether you’re building above a residential space or a commercial / mixed-use property. The type of your property will also affect your options, as will your intentions for the space (do you want it to become a new dwelling in its own right?).
With this project, we do highly recommend you talk to an expert to get a proper understanding of your planning rights. Book a consultation here.
It can be easy to think when you hear ‘no need for full planning’ that you can breeze on through to the construction stage. In fact, one of the risks facing homeowners is that some contractors might even suggest just this.
However, should your designs fail to meet the above requirements, your project could be subject to hefty fines and even demolition. What’s more, there are other requirements a project needs to cover, such as…
And much more!
The best thing you can do for your home is to get an experienced expert by your side from the start.
At Resi, we’re able to help our customers navigate everything they’ll need to start construction, including…
Therefore, no matter which planning route you choose, our team can provide a tailored plan to ensure you avoid any costly missteps.
If you’re looking to fully protect your build, here are our top tips for using your permitted development rights safely…
Get a lawful development certificate
This handy document essentially proves your project was legal at the point of construction and is a useful way of getting your local planning department to review your designs. What’s more, you’ll find many potential buyers requesting some documentation regarding any improvements you’ve made, so they can ensure they won’t inherit any legal problems.
Put together a building regulations package
All UK homes must adhere to building regulations. These are a set of statutory requirements which cover everything from the structure, thermal performance, sound-proofing, drainage, all the way to fire safety - to name just a few!
To ensure your project is in line with UK building regulations, we recommend you commission a set of technical drawings of your proposed build, so your contractor has detailed instructions on meeting all legal requirements.
This package can be prepared by an architect, such as Resi, but will also need input from other specialist professionals, such as a structural engineer, party wall surveyor, and CCTV drainage surveyor. All these experts will ensure that, once you get onsite, your contractor has a detailed plan to work from, greatly reducing the risk of any mistakes being made.
Learn more about building regulations.
Regardless of the route you choose, if you’re looking to complete a home project we always recommend you get an experienced professional on board. With 4900+ projects under our belts, the experts at Resi know a thing or two about creating dream spaces! Book your free consultation with us here.
Please answer a few quick questions about your project to retrieve your quote.
Can you build an extension without planning permission?
Yes, thanks to permitted development rights, if your project meets the needed conditions for the scheme.
What can I build under permitted development?
There are different types of extensions you might be allowed to build under permitted development, such as: rear extensions, side extensions, wraparound extensions, two-storey extensions.