You will often not require planning permission to fit a log burner. If you are adding a new external flue or chimney then different rules will apply.

If you live in a listed building you will require listed building consent.

The installation of a log burner must comply with building regulations. It is recommended that you use a HETAS-registered installer who can certify the work. Visit the HETAS website to search for an installer.

Read more information around fitting an external flue or chimney in our common projects section.

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Rendering or cladding the exterior walls of your house may fall under permitted development rights, meaning an application for planning permission is not required provided you meet certain limits and requirements set out in legislation.

If you live in a listed building, you will need listed building consent for any significant works whether internal or external.

If you live in a Conservation Area, a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the Broads, you will need to apply for planning permission before cladding the outside of your house with stone, artificial stone, pebble dash, render, timber, plastic or tiles.

Outside these areas, cladding may be carried out without having to first apply for planning permission provided the materials are of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the house.

If the new materials will not have a similar appearance to those previously used you will be required to submit an application for planning permission.

Read more about change to external walls on our common project.

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Replacing existing render

Replacing existing render on the outside of your house with render of a similar appearance will not require planning permission as it is considered permitted development.

If you are changing the external appearance of the house or in a protected area such as a conservation area, then planning permission will be required. The external appearance of the house is likely to be changed when you are changing the type or colour of the render.

If the building is listed, then you will need listed building consent.

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A 'listed building' is a building, object or structure in the UK that has been considered as of national importance in terms of architectural or historic interest and included on a register called the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

Buildings are listed to help protect the physical evidence of our past, including buildings, which are valued and protected as a central part of our cultural heritage and our sense of identity. Historic buildings also add to the quality of our lives, being an important aspect of the character and appearance of our towns, villages, and countryside.

There are three listing grades:

- Grade I - Buildings of exceptional interest

- Grade II* - Particularly important and more than special interest

- Grade II - Buildings of special interest, warranting every effort being made to preserve them (this is the most common)

If you live in a listed building it means you cannot demolish or alter the building in a way that changes its character without Listed Building Consent.

Read detailed guidance on Listed Building Consent

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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Whether you need planning permission to install an extractor fan depends on the size and placement of the fan.

For domestic installations, such as a bathroom or kitchen in your house, planning permission is not generally required. If the change significantly alters the external appearance of your home then permission may be required.

If you live in a listed building, you will need listed building consent for any significant changes.

Larger extractor fans for businesses are likely to require an application for planning permission to be made to the local planning authority. These extractors can impact the local area due to their noise, visibility and odour, as such the planning authority will need to assess the change.

Building regulations relating to ventilation and electrical works will have to be complied with, these are covered by Approved Document F and P respectively.

Read more about building regulations and the requirement for ventilation on our common projects.