A soakaway does not normally require an application for planning permission provided it deals with surface water and does not discharge into a public sewer. Additional regulations may apply if you are in a conservation area or within the boundary of a listed building.

Building regulations will apply to the creation of a soakaway. The soakaway must comply with Part H of the building regulations which specifies where they can be located and the size that is permitted.

Read more about Approved Document H.

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Yes, in most cases you can use an outbuilding as a home office without needing planning permission. As long as the use remains incidental to the main dwelling it is still considered part of your domestic residential use.

Read more about outbuildings

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Two storey rear extensions are considered to be permitted development, meaning they do not require an application for planning permission provided certain limits and conditions are met. If these limits are exceeded then you will need to apply for planning permission from the local planning authority.

Houses on designated land such as national parks or conservation areas are excluded from the permitted development rights and will require an application for planning permission.

To fall within permitted development rights, the extension should be no higher than the existing house, and where it is within two metres of a boundary, the eaves should be no higher than three metres. 

Any double storey extension to the side or front of the house will require planning permission. You can view the full limits and conditions on our Two-storey extension Mini Guide.

If you live in a listed building you will require listed building consent for any major works to the property.

Verandas will often require planning permission as they do not fall under permitted development rights. If the veranda is raised over 0.3 metres, covers more than 50% of the land around your house, is on the principal elevation or on a roof then it will need planning permission.

You may require additional consents if you live in a Conservation Area or listed building. If you are unsure, you should contact your local planning authority.

For more information about planning permission for verandas and balconies, read our common project.

There are different planning fees for England and Wales, and many different application types depending on the work being carried out.

You can use the Planning Portal's fee calculator to work out fees for different kinds of proposal.

Use the fee calculator (England)

Use the fee calculator (Wales)

While every effort has been taken to ensure that the fee has been calculated correctly, the determination of whether a planning fee is correct is the responsibility of the relevant local planning authority, who will check the fee is correct when the application is submitted and validated.