The following are common examples of when a householder will need
to apply for Planning Permission:
You want to make additions or extensions to a house, flat
or maisonette (if outside the scope of Permitted Development
Rights, see below)
You want to divide part of your house for business or commercial
use (e.g. a workshop)
You want to divide part of your house for use as a separate
home (e.g. a self- contained flat or bedsit)
You want to build a separate house in your garden
Permitted Development Rights
If you are a householder, you can make certain types of minor changes
to your home without having to apply for Planning Permission. These
rights are called Permitted Development rights.
Generally the extent to which you are permitted to develop are
as follows:
for a terrace house, the volume of the "original house"
would not be increased by more than 10% or 50 cubic metres (whichever
is the greatest)
for any other kind of house, the volume of the "original
house" would not be increased by more than 15% or 70 cubic
metres (whichever is the greatest)
IMPORTANT: The advise above is a general overview
of the Planning laws laid down by the Local Authorities, and is
in no way a comprehensive guide.
