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Planning Permission Assistance

Do I need planning permission for extensions?

Planning permission is required for:

  • extensions of more than 50 cubic metres in volume (any previous extensions, or buildings over 10 cubic metres erected within the grounds of your house, is deducted from this allowance);
  • extensions higher than the highest part of the roof of the original building;
  • extensions more than 4 metres high and within 2 metres of your boundary;
  • extensions or alterations to the roof, including dormer windows (but permission is not normally required for skylights);
  • extensions nearer to a highway than the nearest part of the original house (unless the house, as extended, would be at least 20 m away from the highway).

Do I need planning permission for porches?

Planning permission is required if:

  • the ground area exceeds 3 square metres;
  • the height exceeds 3 metres;
  • any part of the porch would be located within 2 metres of a highway

Do I need planning permission for garages, greenhouses, sheds and other structures?

Planning permission is required for:

  • any building/structure nearer to a highway than the nearest part of the original house, unless more than 20 metres away from a highway;
  • buildings/structures not required for domestic use;
  • buildings/structures over 3m high (or 4 m if it has a ridged roof);
  • Liquid Propane Gas (LPG) tank;
  • Oil storage tank holding more than 3,500 litres;
  • any building/structure which would result in more than half of the grounds of your house being covered by buildings/structures.
  • the building or structure is not to be used for purposes ancillary to domestic use and is to be used instead, for example, for parking a commercial vehicle, running a business or storing goods in connection with a business.
  • your house is a listed building, and you want to put up a building or structure with a volume of more than 10 cubic meters.
  • You live in a Conservation Area or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and you want to put up a building or structure with a volume of more than 10 cubic metres (though it might be allowable as an extension).

Note: in all cases, if your new building would have a volume over 10 cubic metres and come within 5 meters of the house, it would be treated as an extension. Also if your new extension would bring some existing garden building within 5 metres of the (extended) house, that existing building's volume could be deducted from your overall volume entitlement for the house, as if it were another extension.

Do I need planning permission for fences, walls and gates?

Planning permission is required for any fence, wall or gate next to

  • a highway if over 1 m high, (or 2 m high elsewhere), or if it would interfere with visibility required for highway safety.

Do I need planning permission for patios, hard standings, driveways?

Planning permission is not required for hard standings, patios and driveways (unless these are not intended for domestic use). The making of an access onto a classified road (or the alteration of such an access) will normally require planning permission.

In these notes a highway includes public roads, public footpaths and bridleways.

Do I need planning permission to make alterations to the roof of my house?

You do not normally need permission to re-roof your house nor for the insertion of roof lights or skylights. However you will need permission for a roof extension or dormer window in any of the following circumstances:

  • The house is a Listed Building.
  • The house is within a conservation area.
  • The roof extension faces a highway.
  • The roof extension would add more than 40 cubic metres to a terraced house or 50 cubic metres to any other kind of house.
  • The height of the roof would be increased.
  • The volume of the original dwelling would as a result of the new works be exceeded by 50 cubic meters if it is a terraced house or 70 cubic meters elsewhere.

Do I need planning permission to convert a house into flats?

Yes, but hardly ever to create a house from flats.

How do I apply for Planning Permission?

You apply to your council for planning permission. It is not necessary to make the application yourself. If you wish, you can appoint an agent (an architect, a solicitor, or a builder) to make it for you. Your application must be accompanied by a plan of the site, details of any proposed works and the fee. At least three copies of the form and plans are required, although some councils may ask for more.

You can make an online application on www.planningportal.gov.uk

How much does it cost?

In most cases you will have to pay a fee when you apply for planning permission. Application fees are set by the government and are the same for all councils across the country. Use the link from this page to download our planning application fee form.

To find out more about how much you need to pay, you can link to the fee calculator on the Planning Portal site.

How long does an application take?

The council should decide your application within eight weeks. Large or complex applications may take longer. Your council should be able to give you an idea about the likely timetable. If it cannot decide your application within eight weeks, it should obtain your written consent to extend the period.

Is it difficult to get planning permission?

No - over 90% of applications are approved (locally and nationally). However, some forms of development, for example new housing in the green belt, are hardly ever acceptable.

How long does permission last?

Full permission is usually valid for five years - not starting within this time will mean reapplying. If outline permission has been granted, you will need to submit for the approval of reserved matters within three years of the permission.

Do I have to pay for the quotation?

Quotations are completely free of charge. Please send an email or give us a ring with any questions or inquiries.