Land and buildings are categorised by their type and purpose through a system known as ‘use classes’. A 'Change of use' can be within the same Use Class or from one Use Class to another.

You can find a full list of use classes and change of use scenarios related to planning on the Planning Portal website.

Read more about use classes

National planning regulations allow certain alterations to be made to a property without requiring planning permission; these are known as permitted development rights. In some cases, local authorities may remove or restrict these rights for specific types of development that would otherwise be allowed. This is achieved through the use of Article 4 Directions, which are intended to protect the character, heritage, and appearance of designated areas.

If your local planning authority has issued an Article 4 Direction, some of your permitted development rights may no longer apply. As a result, you may need to submit a planning application for works that would not normally require one.

You can check whether an Article 4 Direction affects your property by visiting your local authority’s website.

Permitted development rights allow certain types of work to be carried out without the need to apply for planning permission. It typically covers things like small extensions, loft conversions and outbuildings, provided they meet specific size and location limits. These rights can vary or be removed in areas like conservation zones and by Article 4’s, so it’s best to check before proceeding.  

Read about permitted development and Article 4 directions on Planning Portal

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You likely will require advertisement consent to display a commercial advertisement outside your home, especially when the company does not operate from that location.

 It is more likely that permission will be required where:

• the sign is over 0.3 square metres or illuminated
• the sign is visible from a road
• the building is listed or in a designated area then consent

Find out more about advertisement consent on Planning Portal.

Adding a porch canopy is classed as permitted development provided it meets the limits and conditions set out in legislation. Where this is the case, no application for planning permission is required.

Porches must meet the following limits:

• the ground floor area (measured externally) would not exceed three square metres.
• no part would be more than three metres aboveground level (height needs to be measured in the same way as for a house extension).
• no part of the porch would be within two metres of any boundary of the dwellinghouse and the highway.

Read our mini guide for additional information on installing a porch.

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