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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
In many cases, you can extend a house without applying for planning permission by using what's known as permitted development rights, provided certain limits and conditions are met. However, if your plans go beyond these restrictions, you will likely need to apply for householder planning permission.
A bin store is classed as an outbuilding, these fall under permitted development rules meaning they are allowed as long as they adhere to a set list of rules. However, one of these rules is that outbuildings cannot be placed in front of the principal elevation*. As such, you will be required to apply for planning permission to build a bin store or any permanent structure in your front garden.
Read more about the rules for outbuildings.
Principle elevation - The most visible or prominent side of a structure, typically facing a street or public area. While often considered the 'front' of the building, it may not always contain the main entrance.
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 rending the house for a first time or changing the type or colour of the render.
If the building is listed, then you will need listed building consent.
Deconversion is the process of restoring a previously subdivided house back to its original state as a single property. Merging flats to create a single house may require planning permission, so you should discuss proposals with your local planning authority before starting work.
Read more about converting flats back to a house.
The UK Government provide access to public land records, allowing you to check certain restrictions on land. You can use the online tool to check whether your land is in a conservation area.
VisitGOV.UK and use the planning data map.
(This map covers planning data for England).
If you are unsure you should contact your local planning authority.
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