What is Permitted Development?
Permitted Development (PD) is a scope of works for which you are not required to obtain planning permission, but you have to ensure that certain conditions are followed.
Clients often scale down or amend the planned works to rid themselves of the burden of submitting plans to the local planning authority (LPA), and therefore and the expense that comes with it.
So you need to be totally sure that your development is all within the rules before you just start building. The best advice is that you should contact the LPA to discuss your proposal prior to the work beginning. The LPA can advise on whether planning permission is required at all and usually have a free service to let you know.
Permitted Development rights apply to houses (not flats or Maisonettes) as they were originally built (or as they stood in July 1948)
Your house will most likely fall under Permitted Development, but any extensions made after 1948 will count towards the properties allocation (total enlargement since built), so caution is advised. Don't ditch Planning Applications unless you first seek advice on this from a Planning Agent or the local Planning Department.
How much can I build within my permitted development rights?
For single storey rear extensions:
The following total allowances are available without consulting the Local Authority:
Detached house - Extending beyond the rear wall by up to 4 metres
All other houses - Extending beyond the rear wall bay up to 3 metres
Further explanation on allowances within Permitted Development can be found here
You can proceed without notifying the planning authority if you are 100% sure that your proposed development falls within your rights.
To go bigger
You can also maximise your extension to a massive:
Detached House - Up to 8 metres
All other houses - Up to 6 metres
First you need to make a Prior Approval application. This informs the local authority of the proposed work before development commences.
