Permitted Development (PD) has often been cited as the bane of home improvement legal issues. Often unclear and sometimes in contrary to planning permission application outcomes and advice, 2010 saw a timely overhaul of UK domestic PD guidelines. So, what can you legally do the exterior of your property according to revised PD?
• Build a porch of less than 3m₂ using the material of your choice
• Install green energy devices e.g. solar panels (wind turbines often require planning permission)
• Renew guttering using the material of your choice
• Erect a satellite dish or aerial
• Install new or refurbished fascias and plastic wall cladding
Extensions & Outbuildings
• Extend the back of your home by 4m (single storey) or 3m (two storeys). This includes verandas made from corrugated roofing sheets and conservatories.
• Extend the side of your home by 4m in height (no more than half the width of the original property, single storey only)
• As long as they don’t cover more than 50% of the original garden, erecting numerous single storey outbuildings (e.g. sheds, home offices etc) tends to fall within PD.
• Outbuildings cannot be forward of the original dwelling line (e.g. no home studios on the front lawn)
Remember, today’s PD doesn’t outrank planning permission, so avoid costly mistakes via a casual chat with your local planning office if in doubt. Extensions and outbuildings erected without thorough research into planning permission needs may be torn down by Council order.
As a leading plastic fabrication company, we can offer a vast range of supplies for home renovation.
