If you’re planning a home renovation, it’s worth finding out what you can build on land without planning permission. The rules have changed in recent years so you may be able to save some time and paperwork.  

Without further ado, here’s our rundown of what you can build on land without planning permission.  

What Can You Build on Land Without Planning Permission?

Planning permission protects privacy rights and the aesthetics of buildings and neighbourhoods. However, what you can build on land without planning permission changed in 2015 with the introduction of Permitted Development Rights (PDRs), which automatically grant permission for certain home renovations. 

Some examples of what you can build on land without planning permission now include extensions, a basement, a garage, loft conversions, outbuildings and swimming pools.  

1. Rear or Side Extensions: Single or Double?

When people wonder about what you can build on land without planning permission, they are usually thinking about extensions. 

Under PDRs, you can build small side and rear extensions that comply with these rules: 

Single storey extensions: 

• Can extend 4m upwards and 4m out from a detached house or 3m out for semi-detached and terraces. 
• Apart from listed buildings or designated land (conservation areas, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, etc.), you can extend out 8m for detached homes and 6m for others, with prior approval from your local planning authority. 

Two-storey extensions:  

• Up to 3m outwards and no closer than 7m to the rear boundary. 
• Roof pitch must be similar. 
• Upper side windows may need to be obscure-glazed and non-opening. 

Side extensions (or side returns): 

Maximum one 4m high storey and not wider than half the original house. 

PDRs also stipulate no construction can occupy over half the land around your house or have balconies or verandas. The eaves and roof can’t be higher than the original house or 3 m within 2m of a boundary. You must also use materials compatible with the original structure and get Building Regulations approval. Two-storeys and side returns are not permitted on designated land. 

See the Planning Portal for more information about what you can build on land without planning permission. 

2. Loft Conversion

Loft conversions fall under PDRs as long as they:  

• Don’t extend the roof volume over 40 m3 for terraced houses or 50 m3 for detached and semi-detached. 
• Don’t sit forward of the existing roof plane at the front of the house. 
• Are not higher than the roof. 
• Don’t have balconies or verandas. 
• Obscure glazed, non-opening side windows. 

Rooflights, hip-to-gable conversions and rear dormers can usually be done under PDRs. Dormers must sit at least 20cm back from the eaves. 

3. Outbuildings 

Outbuilding PDRs are like extensions: at the rear, less than half the land, no verandas. Permitted height is 4 m for a dual pitched roof, 3 m for other types. Eaves can be 2.5m high. The use is also important. You can’t live in an outbuilding, but a gym or office is fine.  

On designated land, among other restrictions, max. size is 10m2 for outbuildings over 20m from the house.

4. Swimming Pools

Similar to outbuildings, swimming pools must occupy less than half the land in order to be built on land without applying for planning permissions.  

5. Garage Conversion 

Attached garages can usually be converted to living space if the work is internal and doesn’t extend the square footage, which includes the roof. 

Standalone garage conversions often require planning permission and a change of use application under Building Regulations.  

Sometimes, the right to convert garages is removed from certain areas and homes, so check with your local authority. Also, PDRs aren’t infinite so any garage built after the house may have used them up.   

6. Internal Renovations

You can do most internal home renovations under PDRs if you don’t extend the overall footprint of the house. Basically, individual rooms, knocking down walls, changing the layout or creating open plan living space. You will need an architect or structural engineer to remove supporting walls though. 

7. Basements

Basement conversions can often be done under PDRs if no engineering work is required. However, some urban councils are removing them from PDRs, so check first. 

For all home renovations, with or without planning permission, you may also need a Party Wall Agreement with neighbours, Build Over Permissions to construct over sewers and Building Regulations approval. 

Get in touch with us for more advice on what you can build on land without planning permission.