When planning an extension, if the time-consuming, and costly, process of applying to the council for permission to do it fills you with dread, check out your property’s permitted development (PD) rights. In England and Wales, the Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order gives certain builds and alterations automatic prior approval, without need for a full planning application. This was updated in 2020, and projects that come under PD can now include rear, side-return and two-storey extensions, plus loft and garage conversions, as well as smaller home improvements.
Each type of project must meet strict criteria governing size, scale and proximity to boundaries. However, many savvy renovators plan their extensions and conversions to meet PD criteria specifically, so they can avoid complex planning applications and save £££s in the process. But always check your project doesn’t exceed the rights
