Permitted development: Could it unlock your home’s potential?

• Blog

Does your home just feel like you could do with a bit more space, but you don’t want to move? There may be opportunities for you under permitted development rights, which mean you can make certain changes to your home’s size and shape without needing to seek planning permission.

Applying for planning permission can feel daunting and bureaucratic, but with permitted development there may be a more straightforward way to unlock your property’s potential.

So, what is permitted development?

Permitted development allows improvements to your home that can take on many forms including loft conversions, kitchen extensions and other home remodelling. There are a number of complex rules around the process and some limitations if there has been a previous extension, but if applied successfully it can allow for some quite significant changes without the need for planning permission which can save time, money and stress.

What are the rules?

Here are the main rules around when you can use permitted development rather than applying for planning permission.

Extensions

• You can’t extend more than 3m beyond the rear wall for terraced or semi-detached houses
• You can’t extend more than 4m beyond the rear wall for detached houses.
• Extensions may not go higher than 4m, or 3m if within 2m of a property boundary.
• The materials should match those used in the existing house.
• Extensions can have an area of up to 50% of your plot, excluding the original house (as it stood in 1947).
• Side extensions shouldn’t exceed 50% of the width of the original house.
• For two-storey extensions, windows are not allowed on the side elevations of additional storeys.

You can also look at wraparound extensions, which must meet the criteria for both rear and side extensions, but often these are larger projects and so are more likely to need planning permission.

Lofts

• Must not exceed an additional 50 cubic metres for detached or semi-detached homes
• The roof must retain its original pitch
• Windows are not allowed on the side elevations
• Any windows lower than 1.7m from the floor must be non-opening.

Additional storeys

• The total height of the new structure must not exceed 18m.
• Up to two additional storeys may be added to detached houses of two or more storeys.

How can an architect help?

D84 can help by confirming the specifics of what can and cannot be done through permitted development for your home. We can provide advice on the legal implications of your plans and help you navigate the process.

Even though you don’t need planning permission, we can provide you with design options and vision to help your home realise its full potential and add most its value. It may be that you are needing to adapt your property for a family member, be it a new young addition or to change your home to support someone in their later years. We can help you do this and create the space you all need.

Posted on 25^th August, 2025