Understanding permitted development rights

At Elglaze, helping our customers to make the most of their homes will always be the main aim. While there are many ways in which we can do this, today we’re focusing on permitted developments. 

Whether you’re dreaming of a bright new conservatory or a peaceful garden room, understanding permitted development rights can make your project quicker, easier, and more affordable.

What are permitted development rights?

Permitted development rights allow you to extend your living space without the hassle of applying for and gaining full planning permission. These rights cover a variety of home improvements, including extensions, conservatories, garden rooms and outbuildings. 

They have been put in place to make it easier for homeowners to enhance their living spaces without getting caught up in too much red tape.

Rules and restrictions to be aware of.

While permitted developments cover a wide range of projects, there are some specific rules and exceptions to be aware of:

• Conservation areas and listed buildings: If your home is listed or in a conservation area, you may face more restrictions and might ultimately need planning permission.
• Land coverage: Extensions or outbuildings should not cover more than half the land around your original house.
• New builds: Certain newly built homes will not come with permitted development rights, this is usually due to a condition of their initial planning consent.
• Windows and balconies: Adding side windows or balconies might require special permission, especially if they overlook neighbouring properties.

What can you build under permitted development?

There are a range of possibilities for homeowners looking to expand or modify their homes without planning permission, here are some of the key projects that fall within permitted development:

• Building a conservatory or a single-story extension: You can add a single-story conservatory or extensions to the rear or side of your home. However, there is a limit on how much of your garden can be occupied, the new building cannot exceed 50% of the total area of land around the original house. The height of the new building also cannot exceed the highest part of the roof of the existing house. For detached houses, the extension or conservatory can go up to 4 metres from the rear wall; for semi-detached and terraced houses, the limit is 3 metres from the rear wall. 

• Building at the side of your house: The building should be single-storey and no wider than half the width of the original house. The height cannot exceed 4 metres, and if the extension is within 2 metres of a boundary, the eaves height should be no more than 3 metres.

• Building a front porch: You can add a porch to the front of your house, provided it’s no taller than 3 metres, does not cover more than 3 square metres, and is no closer than 2 metres to any boundary or highway.

Are your home improvement ideas now flowing? Let’s talk!

If the possibilities of permitted development rights have sparked some inspiration, we’re here to help make those ideas a reality. At Elglaze, we’ve got plenty of experience with permitted developments and can help you navigate the regulations to ensure your project goes smoothly. 

If you have any questions or would like to get started on your home improvement project, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team using the contact form below.

Please note: these are the permitted development regulations as of September 2024.