Planning Permission in Dacorum
Non-Metropolitan District in East of England · Last updated April 2026
Dacorum is a large borough in west Hertfordshire, centred on the post-war new town of Hemel Hempstead and including the historic market towns of Berkhamsted and Tring. The borough is set within the Chilterns, with much of the area designated as Chilterns AONB (National Landscape) and extensive Green Belt.
With 23 conservation areas and 911 listed buildings, Dacorum has significant heritage alongside its new town housing stock. The combination of AONB, Green Belt, and conservation area designations makes the borough one of the more constrained planning authorities in Hertfordshire.
The council manages development pressure from London commuters alongside the need to protect the Chilterns landscape and historic market town character.
Planning a project in Dacorum? Start here.
Enter your address to check your permitted development rights, conservation area status, and Article 4 restrictions specific to Dacorum.
Free check — no account required
What can I build in Dacorum?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones | Properties near boundaries or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (23), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (23), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (23), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas | Properties on prominent corners or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas, listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Dacorum | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones, if within size/height limits | Large outbuildings covering >50% of garden | Conservation areas (side or front), listed buildings, Green Belt |
| Porch | Most properties if within 3m² and 3m height | Properties near highway boundary | Conservation areas with restrictions, listed buildings |
| Solar panels | Most properties (roof-mounted) | Panels protruding beyond roofline | Listed buildings, conservation areas (if visible from road) |
| Driveway / hard standing | If using permeable surfacing | Non-permeable surfacing over 5m² | Conservation areas with specific restrictions |
| Garage conversion | Most of Dacorum (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Dacorum's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Dacorum
Dacorum has no Article 4 directions, but the combination of extensive Green Belt and Chilterns AONB means many properties face landscape-related constraints beyond the 23 conservation areas. In Hemel Hempstead's new town areas, standard PD rights apply for most householder works. In Berkhamsted, Tring, and the Chiltern villages, conservation areas and the AONB setting add heritage and landscape considerations. Green Belt properties face proportionality restrictions on extensions.
What Dacorum expects from your project
Local design guidance
Residential Character Area Appraisals
Local Plan: Dacorum Borough Core Strategy
The Dacorum Core Strategy was adopted in September 2013 and is supplemented by the Site Allocations DPD (adopted July 2017). The Hertfordshire borough includes Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted and Tring. The plan period expires in 2031.
Emerging / replacement plan
Dacorum is preparing a new Local Plan. A Regulation 18 Issues and Options consultation ran in 2022, and a Regulation 19 Pre-Submission Plan consultation ran in 2024.
23 conservation areas
Dacorum has a high number of conservation areas. Check whether your property falls within one before starting any work — conservation area status significantly restricts what you can do without planning permission.
Conservation areas in Dacorum
23 designated conservation areas
Dacorum's 23 conservation areas protect the historic market towns and Chiltern villages. Berkhamsted's conservation area covers the medieval castle, the High Street, and surrounding historic buildings. Tring has a well-preserved market town centre. Aldbury is one of the most photographed Chiltern villages. The conservation areas in the new town area of Hemel Hempstead protect the remaining pre-war heritage, including the Old Town.
Article 4 directions in Dacorum
6 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in Dacorum
There are 911 listed buildings in Dacorum. If your property is listed, permitted development rights are significantly restricted. Most external and many internal alterations will require listed building consent, which is separate from planning permission. Always check with Dacorum's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Dacorum received 1,226 planning applications and decided 1,158 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 88.2% is above the national average of 86.9%. Major applications are expected to be decided within 13 weeks, while householder and other non-major applications have an 8-week target. The “in time” figures include decisions made within agreed extensions of time.
Dacorum manages a substantial caseload with a 88.2% approval rate and 95.2% delegation rate. The 82.6% on-time rate for householder decisions and 1226 applications received demonstrate efficient processing for a constrained borough.
If your project complies with permitted development rules, you don't need to worry about approval rates — a Lawful Development Certificate is a factual assessment, not a judgment call.
Recent planning applications in Dacorum
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Dacorum expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Dacorum's portal →Data from MHCLG planning application register. Search for householder applications (H01/H02) to see extensions and loft conversions in your area.
Housing delivery in Dacorum
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Dacorum delivered 2,037 homes against a requirement of 2,719 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 75%. This is below the 85% threshold, which means Dacorum must apply a 20% buffer when calculating its five-year housing land supply. This makes it harder for the council to demonstrate it has enough land allocated for housing, and if it cannot, planning policy carries less weight and the balance shifts in favour of granting permission. For homeowners, this can mean a more favourable climate for planning applications that involve new dwellings, such as building in your garden or converting outbuildings.
Lawful Development Certificates in Dacorum
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Dacorum that your project is lawful under permitted development rules. It is not legally required before you build, but it is the only official document that proves your project did not need planning permission. Most solicitors will ask for one when you come to sell, remortgage, or insure your property.
Dacorum decided 726 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 82.6% is below the national average of 93%, so LDC applications may take longer than the 8-week target. LDC applications follow the same 8-week statutory determination period as householder planning applications.
How to apply for an LDC in Dacorum
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Dacorum's website. You will need to submit:
- A completed application form (available on the Planning Portal)
- A site location plan at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale
- Existing and proposed floor plans and elevations
- A written description of the proposed works and how they comply with the GPDO 2015
- The application fee of £258
Dacorum must issue a decision within 8 weeks. If the application is approved, the certificate is a permanent legal record that the development is lawful. If refused, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate or amend your project and reapply.
Need help preparing your LDC application?
Our Permitted Development Certificate Report gives you a full PD eligibility assessment, property constraints check, and application checklist tailored to your address and project — so you can apply with confidence.
Check your permitted development rights
Find out instantly whether your project in Dacorum needs planning permission.
FROM £39Permitted Development Certificate Report
Get a comprehensive report for your Lawful Development Certificate application.
£49Dacorum Local Authority Report
Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for Dacorum.
Pre-application advice in Dacorum
Dacorum offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is Varies by proposal type.
Pre-app advice is worth paying for if your project is borderline, your property is in a conservation area, or your home is a listed building.
Think your project might be permitted development?
Check in 2 minutes with our free tool — no sign-up needed.
Check your PD rights now →Dacorum offers pre-application advice for householder and larger developments.
Planning fees and timelines in Dacorum
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder planning application | £528 | 8 weeks |
| Full planning permission | £610 per dwelling | 8-13 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | 6-8 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | 6-8 weeks |
| Listed building consent | Free | 8 weeks |
| Prior approval | £120 | 56 days |
| Discharge of conditions | £145 per request | 8 weeks |
| Non-material amendment | £44 | 28 days |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Dacorum and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Dacorum
Building regulations approval is separate from planning permission. Most extensions, loft conversions, and structural alterations need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
Building control in Dacorum is provided by Dacorum Building Control. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
Dacorum planning department
Your building project checklist for Dacorum
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Dacorum has 23 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Dacorum has 6 Article 4 areas. Check your address.
- Check if your property is listed — search the Historic England list.
- Use our free PD checker to see if your project qualifies as permitted development — Check now.
- Consider a Lawful Development Certificate if PD applies — it protects you when selling. Learn more about LDCs or get your PD Certificate Report.
- Consider pre-application advice if planning permission is needed — see the pre-application section above.
- Check building regulations — most extensions and loft conversions need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
- Check Party Wall Act obligations if building near a boundary — read our Party Wall guide or use our free Party Wall tool.
- Notify your home insurer about planned building work.
- Get at least 3 quotes from builders and check their credentials.
Nearby planning authorities
Stay informed about planning in Dacorum
Approval rate updates, Article 4 changes, and local planning tips — straight to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.