Your feedback matters
Want to learn everything about Webflow? Download our free eBook today.
.svg){kind=small}
Can I pave my front garden to use as a driveway?
You will not need planning permission if a new or replacement driveway of any size uses permeable (or porous) surfacing which allows water to drain through, or if the rainwater is directed to a lawn or border to drain naturally.
If the surface to be covered is more than five square metres planning permission will be needed for laying traditional, impermeable driveways that do not provide for the water to run to a permeable area.
This guidance applies to houses, there are different rules for flats and maisonettes, converted houses, new houses or areas where there permitted development rights may be restricted.
Read about paving your front garden
You may need to consider if a dropped kerb is required, largely dropped kerbs are not a planning matter but you will need to apply to your local council.
Find out more about dropped kerbs
Common Questions
Changing from a commercial use (use class E) to residential(use class C3) falls under permitted development rights, meaning an application for planning permission is not required.
To use the permitted development right you must meet the rules and regulations set out in legislation, this includes submitting an application for prior approval to the local planning authority. The full list of conditions is available on the government website, or our online application form will tell you whether you are eligible.
If you are not eligible for the permitted development right, you will have to submit an application for full planning permission.
Once you submit your application it will be considered by the local planning authority. The Planning Portal does not have access to the application once it is submitted.
You will need to contact your local planning authority to check on the progress of any submitted application. Many authorities now let you track the progress of applications on their own council websites.
Your local authority’s contact details and website address can be found by using our local authority search.
A bin store is classed as an outbuilding, these fall under permitted development rules meaning they are allowed as long as they adhere to a set list of rules. However, one of these rules is that outbuildings cannot be placed in front of the principal elevation*. As such, you will be required to apply for planning permission to build a bin store or any permanent structure in your front garden.
Read more about the rules for outbuildings.
Principal elevation - The most visible or prominent side of a structure, typically facing a street or public area. While often considered the 'front' of the building, it may not always contain the main entrance.
If your proposal for planning permission or building regulations approval is solely for extensions or alterations to a disabled person’s house to improve access, safety or comfort then you are exempt from paying a planning or building control fee. Additionally, if you are providing means of access for disabled persons to public buildings you are exempt from any fee.
Note that for building regulations approval, you will only be exempt when applying to a local authority building control body.
It is likely that you will require planning permission to extend an existing front porch to add a toilet.
Adding a porch falls within permitted development rights meaning an application for planning permission is not required provided specified limits and conditions are met. However, to fall under permitted development rights for a porch, the total ground area must not exceed three square metres. This is unlikely to be enough room to fit toilet and the required additional components.
Read the full rules for porches under permitted development on our mini guides.
If your porch exceeds these limits, it will be classified as an extension. These can be permitted development but come with a different set of rules.
Extensions are not permitted development if they are built forward of the ‘principal elevation’ of the house. As such, you will be required to submit an application for planning permission to your local planning authority.
If you live in a listed building, you will need listed building consent for any significant changes.
