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What happens if I build without permission?
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.
Common Questions
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.
Planning permission is not required to move an internal doorway, provided it does not impact the external appearance of the building. If the building is listed, you will require listed building consent for any changes to the building.
Building regulations may apply if the wall is load bearing or is part of a fire escape route.
Read more about windows and doors from our common projects.
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.
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
You can put one flagpole up to 4.6 metres high in your garden without needing to apply for planning permission. If it is higher than this or you live in a protected area such as a Conservation Area or listed building then consent will be required.
Certain flags can be flown without needing consent, such as national flags.
Read government guidance on flying flags for more information.
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