To qualify as permitted development some household building work projects – notably extending a house – must not exceed limits to the volume being added.  

In England, the volume allowance mostly applies to loft conversions. You can read more on the Planning Portal. 

Use the volume calculator to find out the volume of several loft conversion and extension types.

Many trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) which means that, in general, you need the council's consent to prune or fell them.

A TPO is placed on a tree, group of trees or woodland with the aim of protecting them. The following is prohibited on a protected tree, without the local planning authority's (LPA) consent:

- Felling

- Topping

- Lopping

- Uprooting

- Wilful damage/destruction

Owners of the trees must maintain their trees, and an LPA will often encourage good tree management. However, they are unable to require maintenance work just because a tree falls under a TPO.

If you wish to complete work on a tree under a TPO you will be required to submit an application to the local planning authority. For full details on this application type, read guidance about works to trees and the application process.

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Foundations are required to carry and distribute the load of the building safely. Therefore, all buildings should have adequate foundations. The factors that need to be considered when designing a foundation are:

• Type of soil

• Adjacent structures

• Trees

• Drains and sewers

• Size and construction of the new building

• Ground condition

• Landfill sites

It is advisable to contact a structural engineer or speak to a building control body about plans for new foundations. 

Read more about foundations for extensions

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A single storey rear extension can fall under permitted development, meaning planning permission may not be required providing it meets certain criteria.  

In terms of height, the extension must:

• Be no taller than four metres at its highest point

• Have eaves no higher than the eaves of the original house

• Not exceed the height of the original dwelling  

Read about planning permission for extensions on Planning Portal

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Whether or not a static caravan can be kept on your property depends on how long it will be kept there for and what it’ll be used for. If the caravan becomes a new home on the property, will be rented out, or will stay in place for more than 28 days then permission if often needed.

If no material change of use occurs, and the caravan is only used for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the house then often no application for planning permission will be required. In this instance it may be classed as permitted development, as such it would have to adhere to limits and conditions set out for outbuildings.

If the property is in the curtilage of a listed building or in a conservation area you should contact your local planning authority.

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