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 cover the removal of a chimney.

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 no enforcement action can betaken against the change.

Rules in a conservation area may differ, in this instance you should contact your local planning authority directly to understand their position.

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 impacts.

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Planning permission is not required for internal changes such as changing a bathroom to an accessible wetroom, however, if you live in a listed building, you will have to apply for listed building consent for any significant works, whether internal or external.

Building regulations approval will likely be required for changes to a make a bathroom accessible, specifically when the change will impact the structure of the room, drainage and electrical systems. It is recommended to have work completed by a member of the competent person scheme.

Building a porch at ground level and under 30 square metres in floor area is normally exempt from the need for building regulations approval.

This is provided that glazing and any fixed electrical installations comply with the appropriate sections of building regulations.

To find out more about the building regulations for porches, visit Planning Portal.

Find out more about glazing and electrical installations

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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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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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