Planning guides
Understand the evidence before you decide what to build.
What do you want to build?
- Two-storey extension planning permission and PD rules
Understand two-storey extension permitted development in England, including rear limits, boundaries, roof design and when an application is needed.
- Side extension planning permission and permitted development
Understand side extension permitted development in England, including width, height, conservation areas and combined side and rear extensions.
- Does a rear extension need planning permission?
Understand permitted development, larger home extension prior approval and planning applications in England, then check your address and local decisions.
- Does a porch need planning permission?
Check porch permitted development in England, including external floor area, height, highway boundaries and the information to prepare.
- Outbuilding permitted development: garden rooms and sheds
Check permitted development for a garden room, office, shed or garage in England, including height, boundary distance and separate accommodation.
- Planning permission for a new house or garden plot
Check the planning route for a new home in England, including garden plots, replacement houses, outline applications and the evidence to prepare.
- Loft conversion permitted development: dormers and roof limits
Can you convert your loft without planning permission in England? Check dormer roof volumes, restrictions and the next steps for your property.
- Does a garage conversion need planning permission?
Check the planning route for converting a garage in England, including parking conditions, external changes and separate accommodation.
- Change of use planning permission: which route applies?
Understand change of use in England, including use classes, prior approval, commercial conversions and the evidence needed to check a property.
- Basement planning permission: conversions and excavation
Check the planning route for basements in England, including existing cellars, excavation, lightwells, local policies and separate accommodation.
Planning routes, costs and decisions
- What is prior approval for permitted development?
Understand prior approval in England, how it differs from planning permission and certificates, and what to prepare for a larger home extension.
- How long does planning permission take?
Understand planning decision timescales in England, including validation, the eight-week householder period, prior approval and delays.
- Planning permission refused: what can you do next?
Understand your options after planning refusal in England, including reviewing reasons, redesign, appeals, deadlines and application costs.
- Planning application costs: council fees and drawings
Understand planning application costs in England, including council fees, design work, supporting reports and what pay on approval covers.
- Permitted development rights: what can you build?
Understand permitted development in England: extensions, loft conversions, garden rooms, certificates and when you need planning permission.
- Lawful development certificate for permitted development
Do you need a permitted development certificate? Understand proposed lawful development certificates, evidence, costs and what the council decides in England.
Understanding planning evidence
- How likely is my extension to be approved?
How to read London borough approval rates, compare similar projects and check the evidence for your own extension.