Looking to add space to relax, work and socialise in your home?

If you’re considering extending your home, you can pick a project that doesn’t require planning consent to save time and money. Many home improvement projects fall under ‘permitted development’ (PD) rights introduced by Parliament in 2013. Put simply, you don’t need to apply and wait for planning permission from your local council. This saves you the £206 application fee and the cost of professional drawings. Plus, it’s speedier. But be warned, the PD rules are complex.

Add a standard loft conversion

Loft conversions are a popular way of making use of wasted space. For instance, adding an extra bedroom and ensuite bathroom. In most parts of the UK, you won’t need planning permission so long as the loft conversion is no higher than your roof and is built of similar materials to the rest of the house. If you live in detached or semi, you can add 50 cubic metres of additional space. Terraces are limited to 40 cubic metres extra, which is enough space for a bedroom.

Any loft conversion that goes beyond your permitted floorspace, overhangs the outer wall of the house, or has dormer windows rather than flat rooflights will require planning permission.

Build a single-storey extension

Many single-storey extensions are built without planning permission. However, they must comply with a long list of conditions, including size, height and location. A single-storey extension will qualify as a permitted development if it meets strict criteria, including:

• The extension is built on the rear or side of the home (not the front)
• Cannot extend beyond the rear wall by four metres for a detached property or three metres for semi-detached and terraced houses
• The extension can’t be higher than four metres or three metres if it is within two metres of a boundary
• Building materials must be similar in appearance to the existing home
• It must take up less than 50% of the land surrounding the property.
• Any ridges or eaves must be no taller than the original house.

Add a two-storey rear extension

It may come as a surprise that you can even build a two-storey rear extension without planning permission. But for the project to be considered permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, it must comply with the following conditions:

• The extension must not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than three metres or be within seven metres of any boundary opposite the rear wall of the house.
• Roof pitch of extension to match that of the existing house as far as practical
• Maximum eaves and ridge height to be no higher than existing house. If the extension is within two metres of a boundary, eaves to be no higher than three metres.
• Materials used in exterior work to be similar in appearance to existing house.

Add a home office in the garden

Working from home has become the new normal for many people. Demand for garden rooms has rocketed as families look to add valuable extra living space for home offices, gyms and more. Most garden rooms are considered permitted development so long as the following conditions are met:

• The garden room isn’t in the front of your home
• It is single storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and overall height of four metres for a dual pitched roof or three metres for any other roof.
• The height is limited to 2.5 metres if it’s within two metres of your boundary
• There is no balcony, veranda or raised platform above 0.3 metres high
• It isn’t used for sleeping or living accommodation
• The total area of all outbuildings, extensions and sheds, including your new garden room, must not take up more than 50% of your garden

Remodel internal floor plan

Fans of Kirstie Allsopp on ‘Love it or list it’ will be know the huge difference knocking down a few interior walls can make, creating a large, airy, open-plan space. For instance, demolishing the dividing wall between a kitchen and dining room to create a family style kitchen diner is a popular home improvement project. It’s possible to remodel your floor plan without planning permission, so long as you don’t extend beyond the building’s original footprint. Of course, you will need to seek advice from a structural engineer before demolishing walls in case they are load bearing and require structural supports, such as steel beams, to stop your home collapsing.  Remember you will still need to follow Building Regulations guidance for key phases of building work for all permitted developments, including interior remodelling.

A basement conversion

More and more homeowners are opting to covert or build new basements to add living space without moving home, especially in high-value property areas. Basements can be a great for TV rooms, storage, utility space, gyms or even swimming pools. In most cases, converting an existing cellar into a living space can be completed under PD rights without planning permission.  However light wells, railings and other features which change the exterior structure of the property usually require consent. Excavations will also always need planning permission whether it is to build a new basement or to extend an existing one.

Exceptions to the rule

Listed buildings, flats, maisonettes and homes in conservation areas are among the properties that don’t have PD rights. This means they will need permission for most building projects. PD rights are also restricted for homes in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, World Heritage Sites and the Norfolk or Suffolk Broads. Check with your local authority to find out if you live in a ‘designated area’ with special rules and guidelines.

Legally sound

A Lawful Development Certificate proves that in the eyes of the law your project is a permitted development, not requiring planning permission. It is not compulsory to have this paperwork, but it can be useful when selling your home to prove the extension is lawful and to avoid costly demolition. You will need to apply to your local council via the Planning Portal online application services. The application must provide sufficient information, including plans, for council officers to decide or it may be refused.

Knowing how to extend your home without planning permission involves being savvy about the rules. Check with  your local planning authority to find out what’s allowed under permitted development in your area. You can also ask a local building professional such as an architect or chartered surveyor. They will have an insight into local planning policy and how to design extensions under PD rights.