Do I need planning permission?
The rules for planning permission can be complex and it's not always straight forward to understand what you can build without needing permission. Permitted development allows you to complete certain home development projects without the need for planning permission. But, it's essential that you get the planning guidelines right to avoid any costly mistakes.
We've created a series of guides for planning permission that relate to specific home improvement projects, such as conservatories, bi-fold doors and porches.
Before you start any building or home improvement work on your property, always check with your local planning office to confirm if you need planning permission. Rules do change over time and there can be locally specific rules that apply.
Apart from planning permission, you also need to be aware of building regulations.
Planning permission is about IF you can build or make changes to a property. Building regulation is about the STANDARDS and QUALITY of what you are building to ensure safety of the structure.
Planning permission and building regulation are separate and must be applied for independently. In some cases, you might not need planning permission but you could need building regulation, so always check that you comply with both.
Also, scroll down the page to see a few surprising projects that you might not realise you do need planning permission for, such as decking, fences and front garden paving.