Approved Documents are official guides that explain how to comply with the building regulations. Published by the government, each document provides practical guidance on meeting the requirements of a specific ‘Part’ of the regulations. They cover a wide range of building work, including plumbing, electrical installations, extensions and ventilation.

The latest versions of the Approved Documents, which support the technical ‘Parts’ of the building regulations, along with Regulation 7, are available on Planning Portal.

Browse the Approved Documents.

For houses, replacing windows with double glazing usually doesn’t require planning permission, provided the style and appearance are similar to the original. However, if you live in a flat/maisonette, listed building, or a conservation area, planning permission or listed building consent may be required, especially if the changes affect the external appearance.

Read more about planning permission for windows and doors for houses

Read about planning permission for windows and doors for flats and maisonettes

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Climbing frames are classed as ‘outbuildings’ meaning they are classed as permitted development, not requiring an application provided they meet the limits set out in legislation. One of these limits is that they cannot be in front of the house.

The key restrictions for a climbing frame will be the height; how close it can be to the properties boundaries and where it can be located.

A full list of limits and conditions can be found on our outbuildings common projects.

If the climbing frame exceeds any of the limits set out in legislation an application for planning permission is required.

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Removing a chimney stack may fall under permitted development rights, meaning no application for planning permission is required provided certain limits and conditions are met.

The permitted development right which covers this focuses on the installation, alteration or replacement of a chimney, note that this does not specifically mention removal. Rules in a conservation area may differ, in this instance you should contact your local planning authority directly to understand their position, and if the building is listed, then you will need listed building consent.

To ensure that the local planning authority will allow the removal of the chimney stack you can apply for a lawful development certificate. If approved, then no enforcement action can be taken against the change.

If the chimney is shared (i.e. as part of a terrace), you might need to discuss with relevant neighbour and obtain a party wall agreement.

Building regulations approval may not be required if you are removing the external chimney stack above the roof. If works progress to the internal chimney stack or breasts, then it will require building regulations to understand the structural impact.

Read more about planning and building regulations on Planning Portal.

It is likely that you will require planning permission to extend an existing front porch to add a toilet.

Adding a porch falls within permitted development rights meaning an application for planning permission is not required provided specified limits and conditions are met. However, to fall under permitted development rights for a porch, the total ground area must not exceed three square metres. This is unlikely to be enough room to fit toilet and the required additional components.

Read the full rules for porches under permitted development on our mini guides.

If your porch exceeds these limits, it will be classified as an extension. These can be permitted development but come with a different set of rules.

Extensions are not permitted development if they are built forward of the ‘principal elevation’ of the house. As such, you will be required to submit an application for planning permission to your local planning authority.

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

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