Homes & gardens 


Eight ways to improve your home without PLANNING CONSENT


If you want to renovate, remodel, add-on or extend your home you may not have to go through a lengthy process for planning permission, but many home improvement projects can be done under Permitted Development (PD) rights.


1. Internal remodelling


If what you propose does not require you to extend the overall footprint of the dwelling, PD allows you to carry out the work. You will, however, need to follow Building Regulations guidance for some aspects such as structural elements and electrical works.


2. Moving windows and doors


You do not normally need planning permission to replace or add new windows in the original walls of your house — but you may need permission if conditions were attached to the original permission. Double glazing can be installed under PD, providing the building is not listed. For new or bigger windows or doors, you will need to follow Building Regulations guidance. Bear in mind that bay windows are classed as extensions.


Planning permission to insert a new window or door opening is not required as long as any upper floor windows on the side elevation are glazed with obscured glass (level 4 or 5 obscurity). They must also be fixed into a non- opening frame (unless the opener is more than 1.7m above the floor of the room in which the window is installed).


3. Rooflights


Alterations can be made to the roof of a dwelling under PD. However, rooflights are not permitted under PD where they


would extend forward of the roof plane on the elevation fronting a highway. But they are permitted providing they do not project more than 15cm from the roof slope.


4. Using attached buildings, eg. garages


You can alter internal space providing you are not increasing the overall footprint of the dwelling.


5. Single-storey extensions and conservatories


These must accord with the following:


 It does not sit forward of the principal elevation.


 Materials should be similar.


 Where it is within 2m of any boundary, the eaves cannot be higher than 3m, and no more than 4m in height otherwise.


 Rear extensions — no more than 4m in depth (detached house) or 3m in depth (semi-detached or terrace).


 Side extensions — the width must not be greater than half the width of the original dwelling. Side extensions are not permitted on Article 1(5) Land (e.g. AONB, Conservation Areas).


6. Loft Conversions


PD allows for the construction of dormer windows, which would provide additional headroom within a converted attic. However, they must not sit higher


What is permitted


development (PD)? Under PD you are able to undertake certain projects without needing planning permission.


than the highest part of your existing roof, or extend forward of the roof plane on the principal elevation.


There are also limitations on the cubic


content allowed under PD but generally up to 40sqm is fine.


7. Two-storey extensions A two-storey extension can only be built under PD if it is at the rear of the dwelling (this includes the addition of a second-storey onto an existing single- storey part of the house). It must not exceed 3m in depth or be within 7m of the rear boundary.


8. Sheds and Outbuildings This is possible providing the total area covered by such buildings/enclosures does not exceed 50% of the total area of the curtilage – taking into account any extensions, but not the area covered by the main house. Outbuildings cannot sit forward of the principal elevation, and there are height restrictions depending on the type of roof (4m for dual pitch roofs, 3m for other roofs, and 2.5m when the building is within 2m of the boundary). Outbuildings may only be single-storey, with the maximum eaves height remaining at 2.5m.


The use should be ‘incidental’ to that


of the dwelling, eg: gym, garage, and not used for residential, eg: bedrooms.


Mid Kent Living 45


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56