Adding a new driveway to an unclassified road for access to a house or business falls under permitted development rights, meaning no application for planning permission is required.

If you live in a listed building, you will have to apply for listed building consent for any significant works, whether internal or external.

You will have to apply to the relevant highway authority for a dropped kerb if you wish to cross a pavement to access your property.

Read more information on our dropped kerb common project.

Changing a standard garage door to an electric garage door will not normally require planning permission. Instead, they are covered by permitted development rights.

Permission may be required if your property is listed, you live in a conservation area or there will be a visual impact on the appearance of the house as viewed from the street. If you are unsure, it is advised that you contact your local planning authority.

Work to install an electric garage door must comply with Part P of the building regulations. This can be done by using an electrician who is registered with the competent person scheme.

‍Visit the website for registered electrical competent persons.

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Adding a permanent wheelchair ramp for access to a home is likely to require planning permission as it will permanently change the external appearance of the front of the house. If the application is solely for improving disable access to the building then the planning application will be exempt from a planning fee.

If you live in a listed building, you will have to apply for listed building consent for any significant works, whether internal or external.

All permanent wheelchair ramps must comply with Approved Document M of the building regulations which specifies the gradient, width and surfaces which should be used.

Read Approved Document M: Access to and use of buildings.

Planning permission is not normally required for steps in a garden, however, permission may be required if the steps are part of a larger project such as a raised deck attached to the front of the house.

If the external steps are attached to the house and a roof is constructed, this will become a porch which has different rules attached. Read full details on the planning rules for porches in our common projects section.

Different rules may apply if you live in a designated area such as a conservation area or if the building you live in is listed.

External steps will not normally require building regulations approval unless they are part of the access to the building. If they are then you must ensure that you do not reduce the level of accessibility to the house.

You should contact your local planning authority for further project advice, alternatively, you can apply for a lawful development certificate for confirmation that any changes you make do not require planning permission.

Climbing frames are classed as ‘outbuildings’ meaning they are classed as permitted development, not requiring an application provided they meet the limits set out in legislation. One of these limits is that they cannot be in front of the house.

The key restrictions for a climbing frame will be the height; how close it can be to the properties boundaries and where it can be located.

A full list of limits and conditions can be found on our outbuildings common projects.

If the climbing frame exceeds any of the limits set out in legislation an application for planning permission is required.

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