What is permitted development?

Permitted development (PD) refers to types of building work that are automatically granted planning permission by national legislation, meaning you do not need to apply to your local planning authority. The rules are set out in The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 and cover extensions, outbuildings, loft conversions, and other common works on dwellinghouses.

What can I build under permitted development?

Common works covered by permitted development rights for a house include: single-storey rear extensions up to 4m deep (detached) or 3m deep (attached); loft conversions adding up to 50 cubic metres (detached/semi) or 40 cubic metres (terraced); outbuildings up to 2.5m high within the curtilage; and replacement windows and doors. Each class has specific conditions and size limits that must all be met.

When do permitted development rights not apply?

Permitted development rights are reduced or removed in several situations: on listed buildings (all external works need Listed Building Consent); in conservation areas (restrictions on cladding, outbuildings, and roof alterations visible from the highway); where an Article 4 Direction has been made removing specific PD rights; on flats and maisonettes; and on some new-build estates where rights were removed by a planning condition.

Do I need a lawful development certificate for permitted development?

You are not legally required to obtain a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) if you are confident your works are within permitted development limits. However, an LDC is strongly recommended - it provides formal confirmation from the council that the works are lawful, protects you when selling, and removes doubt about compliance. It is far cheaper and quicker to obtain than a full planning permission.

Permitted Development - Construction Glossary

Definition

Permitted development is a category of planning permission granted automatically by national legislation - principally The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (GPDO). It allows certain types of building work to proceed without a formal planning application to the local planning authority, provided the work meets all the specified conditions and limitations.

In practice

Common works covered by permitted development for a dwellinghouse include single-storey rear extensions (up to 4m deep for a detached house, 3m for an attached house under standard rights, and up to 8m/6m under the larger home extension scheme subject to prior approval), loft conversions, outbuildings, replacement windows, and rooflights. Each permitted development class sets out conditions - on size, height, materials, and location - that must all be met for the rights to apply.

Permitted development rights are automatically removed or restricted in several situations: listed buildings require Listed Building Consent for all external works; conservation areas restrict certain alterations visible from the highway; Article 4 Directions can remove specific PD rights in an area; and some new-build estates have had rights removed by planning condition. Always check with the local planning authority or use the Planning Portal before assuming works are permitted development.

Planning & Regulations

LegislationGPDO 2015 (England) - Schedule 2, Part 1

Max rear extension (detached)4 m single-storey / 3 m two-storey

Max loft volume added (semi/det)50 m³

Confirmation documentLawful Development Certificate (LDC)

Permitted development does not remove the need for Building Regulations approval - most structural and services works still require Building Control sign-off regardless of planning status. Note that Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have their own permitted development rules which differ from England.

Full planning permission guidance

Permitted Development

Just so you know...