GPDO stands for General Permitted Development Order. Permitted development gives permission to undertake certain alterations, extensions or additions to your home without requiring Planning Permission. Design above by Will, architect from Brighton and Hove, South East. Click here to see more and shortlist them for your home project. When permitted development doesn’t apply There… Read more »
Minimum Bedroom Size UK – What are the Minimum Room sizes for a House? There are no universal space standards for homes in the UK nor are there universal minimum room sizes. Instead, there are regulations that exist for different circumstances and project types. In any home building or renovation project, the two main statutory… Read more »
Converting a garage is a popular way to add usable living space to a home without extending the property. But many homeowners are unsure whether planning permission is required. The good news is that most garage conversions can be carried out without planning permission, thanks to permitted development rules. In this article, we’ll explain when… Read more »
In most cases, homeowners do not require planning permission for an air source heat pump, as it is classed as permitted development. However, you should check that your property/area benefits from these permitted development rights (see below). Air source heat pumps – what can you do under permitted development? In the legislation, air… Read more »
In most cases, solar panels on residential property do not require planning permission as they are classed as permitted development. However, you should check that your property/area benefits from these permitted development rights (more on that below). Solar panels – what can you do under permitted development? Solar equipment is covered under Class A… Read more »
What has changed? Previously, the “4-year rule” applied to unauthorised building work or a change of use to a single dwelling house, meaning enforcement action could only be taken within four years of completion. However, as of April 25, 2024, the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 extended this enforcement period to ten years for all… Read more »
How much does a prefab extension cost, and the pros and cons of prefab and modular house extensions in relation to a traditional build. What is a prefab extension? Prefabrication and modular construction are both off-site construction methods that involve building components in a controlled factory environment, which are then transported to the construction… Read more »
What is an AONB? An AONB stands for ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.’ It is a designation given to a specific geographic area in the United Kingdom that is considered to have significant natural beauty and environmental significance. AONBs are similar to National Parks in terms of their protected status and the level of conservation… Read more »
How long does planning permission take? Whether you are proposing an extension, loft conversion or new build, planning permission usually takes eight weeks to be granted, unless your application is ‘unusually large or complex’, in which case the deadline can be extended to 13 weeks. Design above by Ash, architect from Lambeth, London. Click… Read more »
In most circumstances you will not need planning permission for a loft conversion, as the development will be covered by GPDO (permitted development). However, you should also check if your permitted development rights are restricted or have been removed (see below)* Roof extension pictured above by Ben+Eoin, architect from Southwark, London. Click here to… Read more »
