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What permission do I need to knock through adjoining properties?
Planning permission is not normally required to turn two properties into one by knocking through a party wall provided the changes are internal and do not impact the external appearance of the property.
You should check with your local planning authority that they agree, and there are not any previous planning changes or conditions which may have an impact.
Additional permissions may be required depending on the building’s history and their location. If the building is listed, an application for listed building consent will be required before any major changes are made to the dwellings.
The work will have to comply with building regulations, the focus will be on structural work and safety.
Read more about how building regulations apply to internal walls.
Common Questions
You likely will require advertisement consent to display a commercial advertisement outside your home, especially when the company does not operate from that location.
It is more likely that permission will be required where:
- the sign is over 0.3 square metres or illuminated
- the sign is visible from a road
- the building is listed or in a designated area then consent
Find out more about advertisement consent on Planning Portal.
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.
A pergola is classed as permitted development, meaning an application for planning permission is not required provided it meets specified conditions and limits.
Outbuildings cannot be installed on the principal elevation of the property, additionally any platform must not exceed 0.3 metres in height.
If the building is listed, then you will need to apply for listed building consent and planning permission for the change.
Adding air conditioning to your home is considered permitted development provided all the limits and conditions set out in legislation are met. The limits set out the size, placement and quantity of air conditioning units allowed.
If your home is in a protected area such as a Conservation Area then permission will be required. If you live in a listed building then consent will be required.
The installation of air conditioning must comply with building regulations. It is advisable to contact an installer who can provide the necessary advice, preferably one who belongs to either the Microgeneration Certification Scheme or the relevant Competent Person Scheme.
For more information on air conditioning, read our heat pumps common project.
In many circumstances, rules known as ‘permitted development’ rights allow you to extend a house without needing to apply for planning permission, providing specific limitations and conditions are met. If you want to exceed these limits and conditions, then it is likely that an application for householder planning permission will be required.
You can find information about the limits and conditions, prior approval and the building regulations on the Planning Portal by using the links below.
Read about planning permission for extensions
Read about prior approval for larger single storey extensions
Find out about building regulations for an extension
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