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Choose your project type — rear extension, loft conversion, outbuilding, porch, rooflight, driveway, or additional storey. We check every rule in the GPDO 2015 instantly.
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A full rule-by-rule breakdown with clear next steps — whether your project is permitted development, needs planning permission, or falls in a grey area where an LDC is advisable.
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Clear explanations of the rules for every common home improvement project.
Permitted development rights are a national grant of planning permission, created by the government under the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) 2015. They allow homeowners in England to carry out certain building works — extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings, and more — without needing to submit a full planning application to their local authority.
Not every project qualifies. Permitted development rights come with specific conditions and limitations around size, height, materials, and proximity to boundaries. Properties in conservation areas, national parks, or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) may have more restricted rights, and some properties have had their permitted development rights removed entirely by an Article 4 Direction.
Getting it wrong can be costly. Building without the correct permissions — or assuming something is permitted development when it isn’t — can cause problems when you come to sell, remortgage, or insure your property. A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) from your local planning authority is the best way to confirm your project is lawful.
BILTD’s free permitted development checker uses the GPDO 2015 rules to give you an instant, rule-by-rule assessment of your project — so you know where you stand before you build.
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Check key permitted development rules before you start your project. Instant answers, plain English, completely free.
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