Planning Portal

Mini Guides

Easy-to-understand visual guides of the permitted development rules for six popular householder projects.

Residential Projects

Solar solutions for homes

Commercial Projects

Solar systems for businesses

Off-Grid Systems

Independent solar installations

Off-Grid Systems

Independent solar installations

Off-Grid Systems

Independent solar installations

Off-Grid Systems

Independent solar installations

Planning Portal Mini Guides

Planning rules, simplified

Planning Portal's Interactive House and Mini Guides provide a clearer understanding of the planning and building rules relating to many projects in a typical home.

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Understand permitted development

Planning Portal Mini Guides help you understand what work you are able to do under permitted development rights, before starting a building project.

Visual explanations

Illustrated planning rules
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Topic-based guides

Covering the six most common projects
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Easy to understand

Clearly explained guidance
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What You’ll Find

Visual explanations

Explore detailed illustrations that show the planning rules
that apply to different areas of your property.
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What You’ll Find

Topic-Based Guides

From porches to garages, fences to solar panels—get tailored guidance on specific types of home improvements.
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What You’ll Find

Easy to Understand

No jargon, just clear, helpful advice aligned with
planning laws in England.
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What You’ll Find

Always Up
to Date

Our guides reflect the most recent planning
regulations and policy updates.
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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.

Planning Portal

The home of planning and building control

Explore Planning Portal to find clear guidance on permitted development rules and building regulations.
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Interactive House

Take a look around the Interactive House to understand the planning and building rules that apply to different areas of your home.
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Smart Search

Search a topic and filter results to find all site guidance related to a specific project.
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Speak to an expert

Whether you're considering a home improvement or a commercial project, our Planning Guidance Service can help.
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