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What is planning permission?
Planning permission is consent from your local authority that gives you the go-ahead to complete a specific home improvement or building project. You often need planning permission if you’re hoping to build something new, make a major change to your property, or change the use of your building.
If you’re thinking about making some changes to your home, it’s your responsibility to apply for it before you start work. You could get in trouble if you don’t! Applying for planning permission also allows your neighbours to give any valid reasons to object to your planned development. The final decision, however, lies with your local authority.
Do you need planning permission for:
New front doors
You don’t need planning permission to replace your front door with one that’s similar to the original. It’s a simple home improvement, so you can get to work right away. If you need to repair your door or give it a fresh coat of paint, this is fine too.
New patio doors
Like getting a new front door, getting a new patio door is allowed under PD. You’ll only need planning permission if your new patio door is being installed along with a conservatory or extension (in some instances). But we’ll cover this in more detail below!
New windows
If you’re hoping to replace, add, or move windows in the original wall of your property, you will be able to do this without getting planning permission.
Keep in mind that there are rules you’ll have to adhere to when installing upper storey side windows and skylights. Plus, bay windows are regarded as extensions, so you’ll need to check whether you need permission.
You’ll still need to see whether planning conditions were attached to your property’s original condition, as this can complicate things. Your local planning authority will be able to tell you whether there are any conditions and give you all the relevant information.
An extension
Yes, you can build an extension without planning permission. But it must meet certain conditions.
Your extension should be single-storey, which means its building specifications must fall within strict parameters.These include:
- Materials used should be similar to those of your home.
- Your extension cannot sit forward from the front of your house
- If it is within two metres of a boundary, it can’t be higher than four metres and the eaves can’t be higher than three metres.
- The extension must not cover more than 50% of the total land surrounding the original house.
There are also separate rules for rear and side extensions.
A new conservatory
Under similar conditions to extensions, conservatories are allowed under PD. Your conservatory must comply with some restrictions, but any reputable conservatory provider will be well-versed in the PD rules.
A porch
Most people would assume that homeowners are free to construct a new porch. And they’re right — you don’t need planning permission to add a standard porch to your home.
Still, porches are functionally extensions to your property, and there are a few rules to stop people from taking advantage of a gap in the legislation. Your porch must be no taller than three metres, not within two metres of any boundary adjacent to a highway, and the external ground area must be less than three metres squared.
A front door canopy
As a front door canopy is smaller than a full porch, you won’t need planning permission to add one above your door. Whether you’re hoping to install one yourself or hire a professional, you can be confident that this is covered by PD.