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Mini Guide

Two-storey extension

An extension or addition to your house is considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, provided certain limits and conditions are met.

This guide offers a visual walk-through of those limits and conditions.

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1. House within designated land

On designated land* extensions of more than one storey are not permitted development.

Definitions of terms used

  • Original house - The term ‘original house’ means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you may not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so.
  • Designated land - Designated land (Article 2(3)) includes national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.

1. House within designated land

2. Area permitted

Extensions (including previous extensions) and other buildings must not exceed 50% of the total area of land around the original house*.

Sheds and other outbuildings must be included when calculating the 50% limit.

Definitions of terms used

  • Original house - The term ‘original house’ means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you may not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so.
  • Designated land - Designated land (Article 2(3)) includes national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.

2. Area permitted

3. Eaves, roof height, depth and pitch

Maximum eaves and ridge height of the extension should be no higher than existing house.

If the extension is within two metres of a boundary maximum eaves height should be no higher than three metres to be permitted development.

Extensions of more than one storey must not extend beyond the rear wall of original house* by more than three metres or be within seven metres of any boundary opposite the rear wall of the house.

The roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey should match that of the existing house, as far as is practicable.

 

Definitions of terms used

  • Original house - The term ‘original house’ means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you may not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so.
  • Designated land - Designated land (Article 2(3)) includes national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.

3. Eaves, roof height, depth and pitch

4. Materials

Materials used in exterior work should be similar in appearance to those of the exterior of the existing house.

4. Materials

5. Side windows

Any upper-floor windows in a wall or roof slope of a side elevation must be obscure-glazed and non-opening unless the parts which can be opened are more than 1.7 metres above the floor of the room in which it is installed.

5. Side windows

6. Balconies

Balconies or verandas are not permitted development.

6. Balconies

Building regulations

Most extensions of properties require approval under the building regulations. Read further guidance on Planning Portal.

Building regulations

Further information

Details of the house type this Mini Guide applies to, where to find more guidance and access to a downloadable PDF version.

Notes and disclaimer
Important note
  • The permitted development allowances described here apply to houses, not flats, maisonettes or other buildings.  
  • You should check with your local planning authority whether permitted development rights apply – they may have been removed by what is known as an Article 4 Direction.
  • Other consents may be required if your house is listed or in a designated area.
  • When planning work, you should read all the advice on the Planning Portal under ‘Your responsibilities’. As well as other important information, you will find guidance here on the permitted development regime.
Disclaimer
  • Please note, this is an introductory guide and is not a definitive source of legal information. Read full disclaimer.
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Planning Portal

Apply online

Before starting your project, it's important to check whether you need planning permission, building regulations approval, or both. These are separate applications, you can apply for each through the Planning Portal’s online service.

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