A designated area is situated within a World Heritage Site, Conservation Area, Site of Special Scientific Interest, National Park, or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the area is protected by law due to its architectural or historic interest or landscape.

Due to this protection, there will be further limits on what you can do to your property if it is within such an area, for example building an extension, changes to the roof, or work to trees. Restrictions will be put in place and permitted development rights will not apply.

If you live in a designated area, you must seek advice from your local planning authority before starting any work.

Your gas meter should only be moved by your energy supplier or your local gas network operator. For more information contact your energy supplier to understand if they can move it based on your requirements.

Full details on gas safety and planning can be found on our utilities common project.

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Adding a storey on top of an extension will always require an application for planning permission.

If you want to add a storey on top of your house under permitted development rights, it must be on the principal part of the house.

If you want to add an additional storey on top of your house, it can be permitted development. It is only permitted development if it follows certain rules:

The current house

• Is not a building containing one or more flats, or a flat contained within such a building
• Was constructed between 1 July 1948 and 28 October 2018
• Has not already had additional storeys added to it
• Is not on Article 2(3) land or a site of special scientific interest
• Was not changed to be used as a house (from a previous non-residential use) under permitted development rights.

How many storeys can you add?

• If the house is one storey then one storey can be added
• If the house is two or more storeys then two storeys can be added

Where can the storeys be added?

• The additional storeys must be added to the principal part of the house. The principal part of the house is the main part of the house excluding any front, side or rear extension of a lower height (regardless of these being part of the original house or subsequent additions).
• Engineering operations must only include works within the existing curtilage of the house to strengthen existing walls and foundations

How high can it be?

• The house cannot exceed 18 metres in total height
• Each storey cannot add more than 3.5 metres to the total height
• If the house is not detached the total height cannot be more than 3.5 metres higher than the next highest building that the house is attached to, adjoins, or is in the same row as.
• The additional storeys must have an internal floor-to-ceiling height of no more than 3 metres, and no greater than the internal height of any existing storey within the principal part of the house.

What materials can be used?

The materials used must be of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the exterior of the current house

Where can windows be placed?

Windows must not be placed in any wall or roof slope forming a side elevation of the house.

Following completion of development:

• The house must remain in use as a domestic residential property
• No visible support structures must remain on or attached to the exterior of the house
• The roof pitch of the principal part of the house must be the same as it was prior to the development.

 If any of the limits set out above are exceeded then an application for planning permission will be required. If you are unsure, you should contact your local planning authority.

Find contact details for your local planning authority.

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.

Read about your responsibilities.

Research indicates that more than half of the population would like to build their own home at some point in their lives. While it is a significant commitment that demands time and dedication, the reward is a home designed specifically to suit your needs and lifestyle.

As part of the self-build journey you will have to consider many factors including:

• Finance

• Location and acquiring land

• Modular homes

• Planning permission.

Read detailed guidance about self-build homes on Planning Portal