Research indicates that more than half of the population would like to build their own home at some point in their lives. While it is a significant commitment that demands time and dedication, the reward is a home designed specifically to suit your needs and lifestyle.

As part of the self-build journey you will have to consider many factors including:

• Finance

• Location and acquiring land

• Modular homes

• Planning permission.

Read detailed guidance about self-build homes on Planning Portal

Adding a storey on top of an extension will always require an application for planning permission.

If you want to add a storey on top of your house under permitted development rights, it must be on the principal part of the house.

If you want to add an additional storey on top of your house, it can be permitted development. It is only permitted development if it follows certain rules:

The current house

• Is not a building containing one or more flats, or a flat contained within such a building
• Was constructed between 1 July 1948 and 28 October 2018
• Has not already had additional storeys added to it
• Is not on Article 2(3) land or a site of special scientific interest
• Was not changed to be used as a house (from a previous non-residential use) under permitted development rights.

How many storeys can you add?

• If the house is one storey then one storey can be added
• If the house is two or more storeys then two storeys can be added

Where can the storeys be added?

• The additional storeys must be added to the principal part of the house. The principal part of the house is the main part of the house excluding any front, side or rear extension of a lower height (regardless of these being part of the original house or subsequent additions).
• Engineering operations must only include works within the existing curtilage of the house to strengthen existing walls and foundations

How high can it be?

• The house cannot exceed 18 metres in total height
• Each storey cannot add more than 3.5 metres to the total height
• If the house is not detached the total height cannot be more than 3.5 metres higher than the next highest building that the house is attached to, adjoins, or is in the same row as.
• The additional storeys must have an internal floor-to-ceiling height of no more than 3 metres, and no greater than the internal height of any existing storey within the principal part of the house.

What materials can be used?

The materials used must be of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the exterior of the current house

Where can windows be placed?

Windows must not be placed in any wall or roof slope forming a side elevation of the house.

Following completion of development:

• The house must remain in use as a domestic residential property
• No visible support structures must remain on or attached to the exterior of the house
• The roof pitch of the principal part of the house must be the same as it was prior to the development.

 If any of the limits set out above are exceeded then an application for planning permission will be required. If you are unsure, you should contact your local planning authority.

Find contact details for your local planning authority.

You typically will not need planning permission to install a hot tub in your garden, as it is classed as an outbuilding and within the permitted development rights in terms of size and portability. However, you may need planning permission if you live in a listed building or conservation area, you should check first with your local authority.

The hot tub will need to adhere to the building regulations in terms of safe and adequate electrical installation by a registered competent person. Find out more about using a registered competent person.

Also, if the hot tub is placed within a building such as a large shed-style structure, there will be separate planning and building control limitations on that structure.

If the conservatory is not separated from the house by external quality walls, doors or windows, then it will lose its building regulations exempt status. As such it will be required to adhere to thermal efficiency rules and ventilation rules.

The new opening created from removal of the door will also need building regulations approval.

Find out more from our conservatories common project

‍

A single storey rear extension can fall under permitted development, meaning planning permission may not be required providing it meets certain criteria.  

In terms of height, the extension must:

• Be no taller than four metres at its highest point

• Have eaves no higher than the eaves of the original house

• Not exceed the height of the original dwelling  

Read about planning permission for extensions on Planning Portal

‍