Do You Know The Home Improvements That Need Planning Permission?

There are lots of different ways that you can improve and develop your home to better suit your lifestyle. This could be installing a new kitchen, adding an en-suite to the master bedroom, turning the garage into a home office or extending the home into the garden. These are all things that will improve your home life. They are likely to add value to your home too. However, there are some home improvements that need planning permission.

If you are working on a new project on your home, it is highly recommended that you speak to a conveyancing expert. You can also look at the government’s planning portal. This will help to ensure you understand your obligations.

Generally speaking, if the changes to your home change the footprint of your house, you will need formal permission. It is the same if the development infringes on protected areas. In this blog post we share the domestic renovation projects that will require planning permission. In these cases, it is recommended that you speak to our residential conveyancers.

• Extensions

If you are looking to extend your property in a significant way, you will need planning permission. The general rule of thumb is if the property is extended by 10% or more, then planning permission must be requested. Multi-storey extensions will also require planning permission.

• Change of Use

This has become more common since covid and with people working from home. It is also a home improvement that many people do not think planning permission is required for. If you are converting your home into a commercial property, or a commercial property into a home, you will need planning permission. This is because the change of use could impact on noise, traffic or parking in the local area.

• Outbuildings

If you are having a garden shed or a small conservatory, this can usually be built without planning permission. However, if you are having a larger structure that takes up more than half of your garden space, planning permission will be required. This covers outbuildings like annexes, workshops and similar.

• Tall Buildings

When replacing a small wall or fence, no planning permission is required. However, if the wall or fence is over 2 metres, or over 1 metre if adjacent to a highway, formal planning permission must be requested. This is the same for tall outdoor structures including treehouses or play equipment, for example.

Here at Burgh Thorpe Solicitors, we have a team of expert planning solicitors. They will take the time to understand your home improvement and help you get the planning permission you require.