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Permitted Development Rights Explained
Permitted development is the single most misunderstood part of the extension process. Homeowners often assume it means "no permission needed at all" — in reality it's a specific, limited set of rights that still has to be formally confirmed before you build, usually via a Lawful Development Certificate.
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What Permitted Development Actually Covers
Permitted development rights are a general planning permission granted nationally by government, rather than by your local council, for specific minor types of development — including many single storey rear and side extensions, loft conversions, and outbuildings. They exist so homeowners don't need to submit a full application for every modest change to their home.
The Limits That Matter Most
| Factor | Typical Limit (single storey rear) |
|---|---|
| Depth — detached house | Up to 6m (8m under the Larger Home Extension scheme, requiring neighbour notification) |
| Depth — semi-detached / terraced | Up to 4m (6m under the Larger Home Extension scheme) |
| Maximum height | Around 4m at the highest point |
| Eaves height within 2m of a boundary | Maximum 3m |
| Materials | Must be similar in appearance to the existing house |
These figures are a general guide, not a substitute for a formal check — the exact limits depend on your specific property type, plot, and planning history.
What Can Remove Your Permitted Development Rights
- ✓An Article 4 Direction covering your street or area (common in conservation areas and some village centres)
- ✓A condition on your original planning permission that specifically removes permitted development rights
- ✓The property being listed, or within the curtilage of a listed building
- ✓Previous extensions that have already used up your permitted development allowance
Getting a Lawful Development Certificate
Even where an extension clearly qualifies as permitted development, we recommend applying for a Lawful Development Certificate from the local authority — a formal, legally binding confirmation that the work is lawful. It costs a modest fee and protects you if the property is ever sold, since buyers' solicitors routinely ask for evidence that extensions had the correct permission.
FAQ
Related Questions
Is a Lawful Development Certificate the same as planning permission?
No — it confirms that permission wasn't needed because the work qualifies as permitted development. It serves a similar practical purpose when selling the property.
Do permitted development rights apply to flats?
No. Permitted development rights for extensions generally apply to houses, not flats or maisonettes, which almost always need full planning permission for any extension.
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