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Can I install patio doors to the rear of my house where there is currently a single external door?
Installing patio doors at the rear of your house is likely to fall under permitted development rights, meaning an application for planning permission is not required, provided certain limits and conditions are met.
The doors should be of similar appearance to those previously used, if they are not then generally planning permission will be required.
If you live in a listed building, you will need listed building consent for any significant works.
If you live in a designated area such as a conservation area or national park, then additional restrictions may be in place.
If you are unsure whether the work falls within permitted development rights you can check with your local planning authority or submit a lawful development certificate to prove the change is lawful and prevent any future enforcement action.
Common Questions
There are different planning fees for England and Wales, and many different application types depending on the work being carried out.
You can use the Planning Portal's fee calculator to work out fees for different kinds of proposal.
Use the fee calculator (England)
Use the fee calculator (Wales)
While every effort has been taken to ensure that the fee has been calculated correctly, the determination of whether a planning fee is correct is the responsibility of the relevant local planning authority, who will check the fee is correct when the application is submitted and validated.
Work that requires building control approval will require a completion notice to be submitted to the building control body. The completion notice must be sent within five days of the work being completed, once submitted, the building control body can visit the site to complete a final inspection.
If the work meets the required standards they will issue a completion certificate.
In many cases, you can extend a house without applying for planning permission by using what's known as permitted development rights, provided certain limits and conditions are met. However, if your plans go beyond these restrictions, you will likely need to apply for householder planning permission.
Significant changes to insulation and thermal elements would normally require building regulations approval. The extent to which this applies depends on the existing insulation and what it will be replaced with.
If the work is completed by a member of a competent persons scheme, then an application for approval will not be required.
Find out more about insulation and building regulations on our common projects.
Installing solar panels on your roof will often fall under permitted development rights, meaning an application for planning permission is not required provided certain limits and conditions are met.
The limits and conditions vary based on the type of roof you want to install the solar panels on and the location of the house. See the details below:
· On a pitched roof, panels should not be installed above the highest part of the roof (excluding the chimney) and should project no more than 200mm from the roof slope or wall surface.
· On a flat roof the highest part of the solar PV equipment cannot be more than 600mm higher than the highest part of the roof(excluding chimney).
· The panels must not be installed on a building that is within the grounds of a listed building or on a site designated as a scheduled monument.
· If your property is in a conservation area, or in a World Heritage Site, panels must not be fitted to a wall which fronts a highway.
As you have stated you’re in a conservation area, you must apply to the local authority for prior approval. This process includes submitting a form to the local planning authority which ensures that you meet the limits set out in legislation.
Forms relating to prior approval for mounting solar equipment can be submitted through the Planning Portal’s online application service and attract a fee of £240.
Visit our solar common projects page for more details and to explore similar permissions.
