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How can I find out if permitted development rights have been removed in my area?
National planning regulations allow certain alterations to be made to a property without requiring planning permission; these are known as permitted development rights. In some cases, local authorities may remove or restrict these rights for specific types of development that would otherwise be allowed. This is achieved through the use of Article 4 Directions, which are intended to protect the character, heritage, and appearance of designated areas.
If your local planning authority has issued an Article 4 Direction, some of your permitted development rights may no longer apply. As a result, you may need to submit a planning application for works that would not normally require one.
You can check whether an Article 4 Direction affects your property by visiting your local authority’s website.
Common Questions
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.
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.
Widening or creating a new external doorway will likely fall under permitted development rights, meaning an application for planning permission is not required provided you meet limits and conditions set out in legislation. If the change is on the side or rear of the building it is more likely to comply with planning regulations.
If you live in a listed building, you will have to apply for listed building consent for any significant works, whether internal or external.
New external doorways which create a new or widened opening must comply with building regulations as they may impact the structure of a building.
In many cases, you can build a porch without planning permission under permitted development rights, provided certain criteria are met. To qualify as permitted development, your proposed porch must:
- Not exceed three square metres in external ground area
- Be no taller than three metres in height
- Be located at least two metres away from any boundary with a highway
Read more about porches on Planning Portal
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.
