Here are 10 Home Improvement Projects You Can Do Without Planning Permission
One of the UK’s leading self build and renovation shows ‘Build It Live’ opens later this month at the Kent Event Centre within the Kent County Showground in Detling on 22 and 23 February 2025.
Each show is an opportunity to meet a wide range of suppliers and discuss your home building plans with independent experts all under one roof. Independent one-on-one advice from Build It magazine’s experts is free at the show, so be sure to book a slot on arrival to discuss your plans. You might even find that some of your ideas don’t actually require planning permission.
Content Director of Build It Magazine Chris Batesmith said: “Permitted development rights allow you to undertake a fair amount of home improvements without having to apply for planning permission including some extensions, loft conversions and installing solar panels. Below we have highlighted some of the popular questions our readers often ask us about.”
10 projects you can do without formal consent
When setting out on a renovation project, many will ask themselves: ‘do I need planning permission?’ And, for some, it may come as a surprise to learn just how much you can achieve without having to go through the planning approval process.
In the UK, the permitted development (PD) regime allows you to embark on a whole host of home improvements without formal planning permission, from home extensions through to adding solar panels or replacing your windows.
The crux of permitted development rights is that the government has granted blanket consent for a range of works, provided they meet certain criteria and that the local authority accepts your scheme. So, what projects can you undertake without formal planning consent? Take a look at these 10 different projects to find out.
1. Build a single-storey extension
You can build single-storey extensions to the back and sides of your house under permitted development rights. Generally, the limits for rear extensions are that you can stretch 4m out from the original dwelling on detached homes, and 3m in other cases.
Larger extensions up to 8m and 6m respectively are currently allowable in England, subject to a notification procedure. Side extensions can be up to half the width of the original building.
You will be restricted in terms of ridge height (4m) and the amount of garden amenity you can cover (no more than 50%) if you want to qualify for permitted development (PD). Proximity to plot boundaries also has an impact, while the cladding materials must match the existing house as far as practicable.
2. Build a conservatory
For planning permission purposes, conservatories, sunrooms and orangeries are treated as extensions – with the main difference being that the requirement for matching materials doesn’t apply as you’ll likely have large areas of glazing. To qualify as permitted development, your conservatory must attach to the original dwelling and not a subsequent extension.
3. Repair or replace your windows
You won’t need planning permission to replace your home’s windows provided that, as a result of the change, the appearance of the house isn’t materially altered (so some change is permissible). You can even enlarge existing fenestration under PD – although take note that bay windows fall under extensions.
Special rules intended to protect neighbours’ privacy apply to side windows, which should be fitted with obscured glazing. It’s quite common to see conditions on previous planning permission preventing alterations to windows in houses and conversions – so always check this before proceeding.
4. Convert your loft
Loft conversions are an excellent, cost-effective way to make the most out of an often-unused space without building outside of the property’s footprint. They make great additions to compact homes where space to extend is limited, and the additional usable storey means boosting your property’s value, too.
A loft conversion project tends to largely rest on internal work, so there’s usually no need for planning permission as it’s likely that the works will fall under PD rules. You can expand available space either with dormer windows or similar alterations, such as changing a hipped roof to a gable – subject to the proviso that the works don’t extend beyond the plane of the existing slope on the front elevation.
5. Install overhead glazing
Rooflights or roof windows offer a fantastic opportunity to filtering in top-down natural light. Installing this type of glazing feature doesn’t require formal planning permission as they’re covered by permitted development rights, providing they do not protrude more than 150mm beyond the plane of the roof slope and do not sit higher than the highest part of the roof.
Permitted development rights don’t apply to listed buildings or those in conservation areas, so if your home falls into either category, you’ll need to apply for consent. You should look to specify sympathetic models, too, such as conservation rooflights which fit the aesthetic of older period homes.
6. Add a porch
You can update any external door to your home by adding a small porch, up to 3m high and 3m² in floor area (measured externally). It must be at least 2m away from any boundary with a highway. This project can add significant kerb appeal to your home, too, potentially boosting its value.
7. Install a heat pump
You can fit a ground or water source heat pump in your garden as permitted development. The only potential snag may be local rules for listed buildings and conservation areas. There are strict size and location limits for air source heat pumps – and only your first installation is allowed under PD. It’s important that your model is installed by an accredited Microgeneration Certification scheme (MCS) installer, too.
If you do choose to make the switch to a heat pump, you’ll be able to access the UK’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), meaning you’ll receive a grant towards the installation of a new heating system.
You can access the following under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme:
£7,500 towards an air source heat pump
£7,500 towards a ground source heat pump (this includes water source heat pumps)
£5,000 towards a biomass boiler
8. Fit solar panels
The government’s bid to reduce carbon emissions means that homeowners are now free to add solar thermal or photovoltaic (PV) panels on roofs or walls, without having to apply for planning permission, provided the units don’t protrude more than 200mm beyond the roof plane and are installed below the highest part of the covering.
The general rule is that these renewables should be sited to minimise visual impact on the dwelling and the locale – and there are specific restrictions in place for conservation areas, world heritage sites and listed buildings. Panels can also be installed on outbuildings or in your garden, but there are strict size limitations for the latter.
9. Build a garden office
Erecting new single-storey structures – including summerhouses, garages and garden offices – is allowed under permitted development provided their use is incidental to that of the main dwelling (eg for a gym rather than an extra bedroom). The building must be behind the principal elevation of the house, and you cannot cover more than 50% of the garden with such structures. Height limits also apply.
There are no PD rights for outbuildings in the grounds of listed properties, while in AONBs, conservation areas and national parks, they must not be larger than 10m² if they are more than 20m from the house – among other restrictions.
10. Upgrade your driveway
Laying or replacing your home’s driveway or hardstanding is considered permitted development across most parts of a property’s grounds. However, if you’re planning to treat more than 5m² of front garden you must either use a porous surface, such as gravel or permeable block paving. Alternatively, you should direct the rainwater to a lawn or flower bed where it can drain naturally.
For bespoke one-to-one planning advice
Visit the show and head to the Ask our Experts Lounge for some valuable and impartial advice from Build It magazine’s planning specialists Julia Riddle and Martin Gaine. A 15 minute consultation is free, plus there are over 100 exhibitors, seminars and workshops to help you understand how to make your dream home a reality.
Claim a pair of free tickets worth £24 today by visiting www.builditlive.co.
Build It Live takes place on 22 and 23 February 2025 at the Kent Event Centre, Kent Showground in Maidstone.