AluK’s guide to planning and permitted development?

Permitted development rights have changed a lot over recent years and it’s now much easier to change your windows and doors, build extensions, and add garden rooms without having to apply for planning permission.

As long as your house isn’t listed and you’re not in a conservation area or area of outstanding natural beauty for instance, you can build a single-storey rear extension, conservatory or orangery up to 4m out from a detached house and 3m out from a semi-detached or terraced without planning permission. And, while you can’t generally go forward, permitted development rules do now allow you to build a single storey side extension that’s up to half the width of your house.

You can go even bigger (8m or 6m) as long as the extension is less than 7m from your boundary, but you do then need to notify your local authority so that they can consult with your neighbours on things like ‘right to light’ and decide if prior approval is required.

Windows and doors

When it comes to fitting new windows and doors then the rules outside of houses in restricted areas (such as conservation areas) are almost as generous. The good news is you don’t usually need permission for replacing, adding or moving windows and doors if they are in a similar style and size as the rest of the house (even in a garage conversion). So, you can choose any of AluK’s stylish, high performing aluminium windows, sliding, bifold or residential doors without any restriction – as long as they are in keeping with your property.

The only exceptions are new windows on the side elevation, where you generally need to fit obscured glass or reduce the opening options, and newly built bay windows, which aren’t normally allowed on the front of a house without planning permission.

Garden rooms

You can also build a garden room up to 2.5m high without planning permission as long as it’s not being used for living or sleeping in and fit your choice of windows and doors. If it’s got an internal floor area of less than 15m2, it can even be sited right next to the rear boundary.  (Anything between 15m2 and 30m2 needs to be at least 1m away.)

Flats

The rules for flats are very different though – not only are there no permitted development rights for flats, flat owners who want to change their windows need planning permission to do so whether the building is in a conservation area or not. And, even to apply for permission to change your windows, you need written approval from both your freeholder and the building management company, so it’s best to choose a proven option from a quality supplier like AluK.

Remember, planning and permitted development rules are different in England, Scotland and Wales and there are occasions where new houses don’t have full permitted development rights or where the council has made an Article 4 Direction to preserve the character of a particular area. Double check before you start any building work.

AluK’s dedicated website for homeowners is packed with useful info and advice, as well as inspirational pics and case studies https://alukhome.com/gb/en-gb