What Are Permitted Development Rights? A Homeowner’s Guide

Making changes to your home can be exciting—but navigating planning permission can feel anything but. Fortunately, permitted development rights give homeowners in England the ability to improve their properties without formal planning consent, in many cases. But what exactly are these rights, and how far can you go before a planning application is required?

Let’s break it down.

What Are Permitted Development Rights?

Permitted development rights allow householders to extend, alter, or improve their homes without applying for full planning permission—as long as the changes meet certain limits and conditions.

These rules are defined in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 and are designed to balance home improvement with neighbour protection and environmental impact.

What You Can Build Without Planning Permission?

Here are examples of works that often fall under permitted development:

• Rear extensions: Up to 4 metres for detached homes or 3 metres for others. You may extend up to 8 metres or 6 metres under the neighbour consultation scheme.

• Loft conversions: Includes dormer windows—if within volume limits and not facing highways.

• Porches: Must be under 3 square metres, under 3 metres high, and not within 2 metres of a highway.

• Outbuildings: Garages, sheds, and summerhouses can be built as long as they cover less than 50% of the garden and meet height and location rules.

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  What’s Not Covered by Permitted Development?

  You’ll need planning permission if your project:

  • Involves extending a property in a conservation area, National Park, or similar protected zone.

  • Would be taller than the existing roofline or closer than 2 metres to a boundary with eaves higher than 3 metres.

  • Adds a verandah, balcony, or raised platform above 0.3 metres high.

  • Is for a flat or converted property (as most PD rights apply to houses only).

  • Falls within an area affected by an Article 4 Direction, removing permitted development rights.