Planning Guides for UK Homeowners

When you need planning permission and when you can build under permitted development.

What PD rights are, where they come from, and which properties have them.

Current limits and thresholds for every GPDO class, updated for 2026.

The 12 most common permitted development mistakes and how to avoid them.

Key limits for single and two-storey extensions under Class A.

Volume limits, dormer rules, and rooflight allowances.

Height limits, the 50% rule, and incidental use requirements.

Quick-reference limits for rear extensions under Class A.

Full guide to loft conversion volume limits, dormer rules, and PD conditions.

Depth, height, and width limits for house extensions.

Height limits, coverage rules, and garden office regulations.

Projection limits, designated land rules, and stand-alone panel allowances.

Size, height, and highway distance rules for porches under Class D.

Height limits for fences and walls, including highway boundary rules.

Permeable surface rules and when impermeable paving needs permission.

Everything you need to know — PD rules, building regulations, costs, and timelines.

Types of conversion, PD rules, building regulations, costs, and common mistakes.

Sheds, offices, gyms, and studios — PD rules, building regulations, and costs.

What your neighbour can and cannot object to under PD, prior approval, and planning.

Planning permission, building regulations, costs, and design tips for L-shaped extensions.

PD rules for rear, side, and front dormers — and the grey areas councils disagree on.

Class AA permitted development rules for upward extensions — eligibility, costs, and prior approval.

Planning permission rules, building regulations, costs, and common mistakes.

Do you need building regulations? How to tell if a wall is load-bearing, and typical costs.

PD rules, fire escape requirements, building regulations, and costs.

The permeable surface rule explained — when you can pave without permission.

Planning permission, building regulations, council tax, and costs for self-contained accommodation.

Fire safety, staircases, structure, insulation, and sound — the full requirements.

Which Approved Documents apply, U-values, inspection stages, and getting your completion certificate.

When outbuildings are exempt, electrical rules, and what triggers full compliance.

Damp-proofing, insulation, structural checks, and ventilation — the full requirements.

Load-bearing checks, steel beam sizing, Part A requirements, and getting sign-off.

Part P electrical, structural loading, battery storage, and the MCS self-certification route.

Waterproofing (Part C), structural underpinning, fire escape, drainage, and ventilation.

The 30m² exemption, glazing rules, and when building regs apply to your porch.

Safety glazing (Part N), energy efficiency (Part L), fire spread near boundaries, and when to notify.

The full process from pre-app advice to decision — the 8-week timeline explained.

DIY guide to submitting through the Planning Portal — forms, drawings, fees, and mistakes.

Step-by-step from first idea through design, approvals, and builder selection.

Everything to sort before your builder starts on site — nothing missed, nothing forgotten.

Every document your buyer’s solicitor will ask for — get them sorted before you list.

Week-by-week timeline to get your extension approved before summer — with a parallel-stages action plan.

When an architect is worth it and when cheaper alternatives will do the same job.

What they do, how much they charge, and when you actually need one.

When your project needs one, what they do, and typical costs.

Costs, process, and when you need one — per neighbour fees explained.

20 essential questions before hiring — insurance, references, payment, and red flags.

Which building regulations route to choose — quick-start vs certainty.

Comparing local authority and private building control — costs, flexibility, and pros/cons.

Every inspection stage explained — foundations, steelwork, pre-plaster, and final.

Completion certificates, regularisation, and what to do if you are missing one.

What inspectors check, how to book a final inspection, and why it matters when you sell.

How Part L energy changes affect insulation, glazing, and ventilation requirements for your extension.

What the FHS requires for new homes — heat pumps, solar PV, MVHR, and SAP 10.

Planning permission, Part J/L/P compliance, Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and running costs.

Structural requirements for extensions and loft conversions — foundations, beams, and load paths.

Escape routes, fire doors, alarms, and resistance requirements for home extensions.

Damp-proofing, tanking, radon protection, and site contamination requirements.

Airborne and impact sound insulation requirements for walls, floors, and new rooms.

Trickle vents, extract fans, MVHR systems, and Future Homes Standard requirements.

Water efficiency, hot water safety, bathrooms, and WC provision requirements.

Foul water, surface water, and greywater drainage requirements for extensions.

Boilers, wood burners, heat pumps, and flue requirements under building regulations.

Stair pitch, handrails, balustrades, and glazing protection requirements.

U-values, SAP calculations, and insulation requirements under the 2022 uplift.

Step-free access, door widths, and visitability requirements for extensions.

Safety glazing requirements for critical locations — doors, low-level windows, and bathrooms.

Notifiable electrical work, competent person schemes, and building control sign-off.

PAS 24 door and window security standards for new extensions and loft conversions.

When Part D applies — cavity wall insulation, urea-formaldehyde foam, and BBA certification.

The 2022 overheating standard — glazing limits, solar shading, and compliance for extensions.

Gigabit-ready ducting requirements for new dwellings and major conversions.

Electric vehicle charge point requirements for new homes and major renovations with parking.

Conditions, commencement, building regs, inspections — the full post-approval journey.

Pre-commencement, pre-occupation and ongoing conditions — what each means and when to discharge them.

Step-by-step guide to the discharge application — £145 fee, 8-week timeline, common mistakes.

3-year time limits, what counts as a material start, and how to protect a lapsing permission.

Sections 1, 2, and 6 explained, notice periods, and surveyor costs.

What an LDC is, when you need one, and how to apply.

Why a Lawful Development Certificate is worth £262 — even if you are sure it is PD.

Application fees, architect costs, and how to reduce costs.

When prior approval applies and how it differs from full planning.

Two separate systems explained — when you need one, both, or neither.

What happens if you build without permission — enforcement, selling, and how to fix it.

The full process — notices, surveyors, costs, and what happens if your neighbour ignores you.

What they cover, when you need them, inspections, and completion certificates.

Build costs per m², professional fees, regional variations, and hidden costs.

Costs by conversion type, regional variations, and a realistic total budget.

What the new levy means for your building control costs — who pays, how much, and when.

Proposed permitted development rule changes — bigger extensions, curtilage reform, and loft volume increases.

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan

Planning rules, PD rights & local plan