Planning Application

The conversion of an attic and installation of Velux style roof windows may not necessarily require planning permission, which depends on the permitted development rights in your area. However it is always necessary that your building work complies with building regulations as well as checking with your local authority the particular circumstances of your property. If you are considering installing dormer windows you may not have to submit a planning application subject to the following limits and conditions:

• A maximum volume of 40 cubic meters on terraced houses.
• A maximum volume of 50 cubic meters on detached and semi detached houses.
• No extension beyond the plane of the existing roof slope on the main elevation that fronts the road.
• No extension above the highest part of the room.
• Materials to be of similar appearance to the existing house.
• No balconies, verandas or raised platforms.
• Opening to be 1.7m above the floor.
• Opening to be 1.7m above the floor.
• Roof extensions apart from "hip to gable" ones to be set back as far as possible (at least 20cm from the eaves.)
• You are not living in an area with extra restrictions (conservation areas etc.)

You do not need to make a planning application to add a porch to a single family dwelling providing it is within the following restrictions:

• It must not be higher than 3m above ground level (measured from immediately beside the porch)
• It must not have a ground area (measured externally) of more than 3m²
• It must be more than 2m away from the boundary with the highway.
• Your property does not fall within any of the special designated land types (e.g. conservation area.)

Replacing windows on single family dwelling will not usually require planning permission, however if you live in a listed building or conservation area it is highly recommended that you contact your local planning department prior to proceeding with any work. It is common that properties in conservation areas have protected front elevations and therefore may require planning permission for even changing the colour of their windows. It may be deemed that changes of colour, material or style does not reflect the character of the area (which is what they are essentially trying to protect in conservation areas).

Planning permission will be needed if you are considering to erect or add to an existing fence, wall or gate over 1m high and next to a carriageway or footpath alongside a carriageway. If the perimeter is not alongside a carriageway you generally have an allowance of 2m height. If your property falls within any of the special designated land types (e.g. conservation area) we would recommend that you contact your local planning department.

Generally you will not need to make a planning application to remove a fence wall or gate. Neither if you are altering or improving an existing boundary regardless of its height as long as its height is not adjusted. However if you live within a conservation it is always recommended that you discuss matters with your local planning department prior to proceeding with works.

You do not need planning permission for hedges as such, though if a planning condition or a covenant restricts planting (for example, on 'open plan' estates, or where a driver's sight line could be blocked) you may need planning permission and/or other consent.

Planning permission is rarely required for the planting of hedges, however if your property has planning conditions or a covenant restricting planting it may be required. This is normally on properties located on 'open plan' estates.

Under new regulations that came into effect on 1 October 2008 outbuildings are considered to be permitted development, and therefore not needing planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:

• No outbuilding on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation.
• Outbuildings and garages to be single storey with maximum eaves height of 2.5m and maximum overall height of 4m with a dual pitched roof or 3m for any other roof.
• Maximum height of 2.5m within 2m of a boundary.
• No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
• No more than half the area of land around the "original house"* to be covered by additions or other buildings.
• In National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites the maximum area to be covered by buildings, enclosures, containers and pools more than 20m from house to be limited to 10m²
• On designated land* buildings, enclosures, containers and pools at the side of properties will require planning permission.
• Within the curtilage of listed buildings any outbuilding will require planning permission.