Planning permission is not required for internal changes such as changing a bathroom to an accessible wetroom, however, if you live in a listed building, you will have to apply for listed building consent for any significant works, whether internal or external.

Building regulations approval will likely be required for changes to a make a bathroom accessible, specifically when the change will impact the structure of the room, drainage and electrical systems. It is recommended to have work completed by a member of the competent person scheme.

Deconversion is the process of restoring a previously subdivided house back to its original state as a single property. Merging flats to create a single house may require planning permission, so you should discuss proposals with your local planning authority before starting work.

Read more about converting flats back to a house.

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Categorising land and buildings according to their type and purpose is known as Use Classes.  

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A 'Change of use' can be within the same Use Class or from one Use Class to another.

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You will need planning permission for certain changes to the use of a property such as changing from a residential use to a business use. However, it is possible to change use between some classes without having to make an application for planning permission.

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Depending on the specifics of any proposed change of use, including any building work associated with the proposal, an application for planning permission or prior approval may be required.

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Removing a chimney stack may fall under permitted development rights, meaning no application for planning permission is required provided certain limits and conditions are met. The permitted development right which covers this focuses on the installation, alteration or replacement of a chimney, note that this does not cover the removal of a chimney.

To ensure that the local planning authority will allow the removal of the chimney stack you can apply for a lawful development certificate. If approved no enforcement action can betaken against the change.

Rules in a conservation area may differ, in this instance you should contact your local planning authority directly to understand their position.

Building regulations approval may not be required if you are removing the external chimney stack above the roof. If works progress to the internal chimney stack or breasts, then it will require building regulations to understand the structural impacts.

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If you're doing electrical installation work in your home or garden in England or Wales, you must follow the building regulations. It's recommended to hire an installer who is registered with a competent person scheme (a registered competent person’) who can self-certify that the work meets the required standards.