Changing a standard garage door to an electric garage door will not normally require planning permission. Instead, they are covered by permitted development rights.

Permission may be required if your property is listed, you live in a conservation area or there will be a visual impact on the appearance of the house as viewed from the street. If you are unsure, it is advised that you contact your local planning authority.

Work to install an electric garage door must comply with Part P of the building regulations. This can be done by using an electrician who is registered with the competent person scheme.

‍Visit the website for registered electrical competent persons.

‍

A carport can fall under permitted development rights provided it meets certain limits and conditions set out in legislation. If you exceed or fail to meet a requirement then you will require planning permission.

If not attached to the house, a car port will be treated as an ‘outbuilding’. A full list of requirements is available on our outbuildings common project.

Read our outbuilding common project.

Yes, under permitted development, a new dormer must not be higher than the existing highest part of the roof. It should also have materials that are in similar appearance to the existing roof. Additional limits apply in conservation areas and on listed buildings. Read about planning permission for loft conversions on Planning Portal

Increasing the size of a window will often fall under permitted development rights, meaning an application for planning permission is not required to make the change, provided limits and conditions are met.

Any new window must be of similar appearance to the original which you are replacing.

Permitted development rights do not apply to flats. To increase the size of a window in a flat or maisonette you will require planning permission.

 If you live in a listed building, you will require listed building consent for any major changes.

Where the work has as significant impact on the external appearance of the house, especially on the principal elevation, planning permission may be required.

Building control approval will likely be required where the change impacts the structure of a building, this primarily occurs when an opening Is widened. When altering walls you may want to consult a structural engineer.

Building control will also consider energy efficiency, glazing, ventilation and fire safety.

Firewalls provide protection against fires spread which may occur to neighbouring properties. Building regulations ensure that modern homes are fitted with firewalls as well as other fire safety measures such as adequate fire escapes and alarm systems.

Older homes may not have a firewall installed in the loft, especially in homes with shared loft spaces. There is no requirement to retrospectively install a firewall, but it should be considered to improve the safety of your home and those living in it.

As an adjoining loft firewall is a party wall, you will need to talk to your neighbour to discuss the work.

Approved Documents are official guides that explain how to comply with the building regulations. Published by the government, each document provides practical guidance on meeting the requirements of a specific ‘Part’ of the regulations. They cover a wide range of building work, including plumbing, electrical installations, extensions and ventilation.

The latest versions of the Approved Documents, which support the technical ‘Parts’ of the building regulations, along with Regulation 7, are available on Planning Portal.

Browse the Approved Documents.

Following a grant of planning permission, it may be necessary to make amendments to the proposals that were originally approved. A non-material amendment may be applied for to approve a minor change to the planning permission which does not breach any conditions originally placed on the consent.

There is no statutory definition for ‘non-material’ as it can vary on a case-by-case basis. In general, if the change will increase the size, change the appearance of a development or have a large impact on other considerations then it will not be considered non-material.

Read more about this non-material amendment applications.

‍

To qualify as permitted development some household building work projects – notably extending a house – must not exceed limits to the volume being added.  

In England, the volume allowance mostly applies to loft conversions. You can read more on the Planning Portal. 

Use the volume calculator to find out the volume of several loft conversion and extension types.

Your gas meter should only be moved by your energy supplier or your local gas network operator. For more information contact your energy supplier to understand if they can move it based on your requirements.

Full details on gas safety and planning can be found on our utilities common project.

‍

You can usually put up new fences, gates or garden walls without planning permission, as long as you stay within permitted height limits. If the structure is adjacent to a highway (including footpaths), it must not exceed one metre in height. For all other boundaries, the maximum permitted height is two metres. Anything taller than these limits will require planning permission.  

Read more about fences, gates and garden walls.