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Do I need planning permission for a single storey extension?
In many circumstances, rules known as ‘permitted development’ rights allow you to extend a house without needing to apply for planning permission, providing specific limitations and conditions are met. If you want to exceed these limits and conditions, then it is likely that an application for householder planning permission will be required.
The limits and conditions for building an extension under permitted development rules are covered in our guidance on the Planning Portal, and there are other points to take into consideration.
Visit Planning Portal to find out more.
Common Questions
Planning permission is not required to move an internal doorway, provided it does not impact the external appearance of the building. If the building is listed, you will require listed building consent for any changes to the building.
Building regulations may apply if the wall is load bearing or is part of a fire escape route.
Read more about windows and doors from our common projects.
If you do not seek planning permission, build without it when it applies, or do not meet specified conditions of a planning permission, this is known as a planning breach.
Your local planning authority can serve an enforcement notice on you when they consider you have broken planning rules. You may be given the opportunity to apply retrospectively, or be required to remove a building or structure, or alter it to make it acceptable.
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.
Yes, but this type of conversion will require full planning permission. This is because you’d be changing the use of the ground floor from residential to commercial (typically to a use class such as E), while the upper floor would remain as a residential flat (Class C3). The change of use triggers the need for planning approval.
Find out more about change of use
Bricking up or infilling an existing window is classified as permitted development, meaning an application for planning permission is not required to complete the works. You will need to ensure that any materials used are of a similar appearance to the existing exterior of the house.
If you live in a listed building, then you will require planning permission and listed building consent for the change. In this instance it is best practice to talk to your local planning authority first.
