"Permitted development’ rights" are the rules that allow you to extend a house without needing to apply for planning permission. There are specific rules that must be met to use “permitted development rights” rather than applying for planning permission:
Here are the rules that apply to all extensions:
· Only half the area of land around the "original house"* can be covered by extensions or other buildings.
· Extensions cannot be higher than the highest part of the existing roof; or higher at the eaves than the existing eaves.
· Where the extension comes within two metres of the boundary** the height at the eaves cannot exceed three metres.
· Extension cannot be built forward of the ‘principal elevation’ or, where it fronts a highway, the ‘side elevation’.
*The original house is the footprint of the building when first constructed or the footprint recorded on 1st July 1948.
** Boundary - This means the edge of the area of enclosed space surrounding the house. For example, a wall or fence between houses or gardens, or the wall of an adjoining building.
The work cannot include:
verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
a microwave antenna (e.g. TV aerial or satellite dish).
a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe.
any alteration to the roof of the existing house.
For side extensions
Where it would extend beyond the ‘side elevation’ of the original house*, the extension:
Cannot exceed four metres in height.
Can only be a single storey.
Can only be up-to half the width of the original house*.
For single storey extensions
Single-storey rear extensions cannot extend beyond the rear wall of the original house* by more than four metres if a detached house; or more than three metres for any other house.
Single-storey rear extensions cannot exceed four metres in height.
For extensions of more than one storey
All side extensions of more than one storey will require householder planning permission.