Seven home improvements you can make without planning permission

Homeowners looking to upgrade their dwellings have been advised on seven surprising home improvements that can be made without having to apply for planning permission.

Personal finance experts from TheMoneyPig.com have researched and revealed the rules and regulations surrounding home improvements – and households may be able to make more fuss-free changes than they think thanks to permitted development rights.

Permitted development rights allow homeowners to make certain changes to a building without the need to apply for planning permission.

HOME IMPROVEMENTS YOU CAN MAKE WITHOUT PLANNING PERMISSION

Here are some examples of what you may be able to do under permitted development rights, but you should always double check with your local planning authority, as, in some cases, your rights may have been removed.

1. PORCHES

Porches are the only type of addition you can make beyond the front wall of a property that’s allowed under permitted development, as long it’s no higher than three metres, it has an external footprint no greater than three square metres, and no part of it is nearer than two metres from any highway.

See:These are the 10 most popular 'smart' home improvements to make now

2. WALLS, GATES AND FENCES

As long as you don’t increase the height of the original structure, you can remove a gate, fence or wall, make alterations or repairs, or carry out improvement and maintenance work. If you want to increase the height, you’ll need planning permission.

3. SOLAR PANELS

Solar panels can help homeowners save money on their electricity bills, and along with flues and antennas, they’re allowed under permitted development.

4. GARDEN ROOMS

External buildings that are detached from the main house are allowed under permitted development, but they must be located in a rear or side garden. They cannot be built in a front garden. They can only be single storey, and the footprint of any outbuilding cannot exceed more than 50% of the land surrounding a dwelling.

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5. CONSERVATORY

Building a conservatory onto your property is considered a permitted development and does not require planning permission, unless more than 50% of the land around the house is to be covered (this includes any other buildings), or the conservatory is to be built to the front of the house that faces the road.

6. LOFT CONVERSION

Converting your loft can prove the ideal remedy if you’re finding yourself short of space at home. Generally, you don’t need planning consent to do this, on the condition that the converted loft’s cubic content will not exceed 40 square meters. Permitted development even lets you add dormer windows – just make sure they don’t rest higher than any part of your existing roof or extend past the roof plane on the main elevation.

7. PARKING SPACE

Save yourself the hassle of finding a parking space near your home by creating parking spaces within your residential boundaries. This is allowed under Class F of the General Permitted Development Order, but specific restrictions still apply. It could be worth contacting the local council for advice – and for making sure your PD rights haven’t been removed altogether by this local planning authority.

See:The 15 most loved home décor trends – to create a sellable home

'Whatever your reasons for extending or renovating your home, there are plenty of changes you can make without the hassle of having to go through the process of applying for planning permission,' explains a spokesperson for TheMoneyPig.com.

Most houses have permitted development rights, but flats and maisonettes do not, so planning permission is then required. Some of the improvements and upgrades that fall under permitted development include building porches, garden rooms and conservatories, and even converting lofts.