The General Permitted Development Order organizes different types of development into "Parts" and "Classes". Each class sets out what work can be done without planning permission, subject to specific conditions and limitations.

The most relevant classes for homeowners are found in Part 1 (Development within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse) and Part 2 (Minor operations).

**What it covers:** Extensions and alterations to your house, including single-storey rear extensions, side extensions, two-storey extensions, and conservatories.

**Key Limits:** • Single-storey rear extensions: up to 3m (semi-detached/terraced) or 4m (detached) without prior approval; up to 6m or 8m respectively with prior approval • Two-storey extensions: up to 3m beyond the rear wall (all property types), must be 7m from rear boundary • Side extensions: single-storey only, max half width of original house • Maximum height: 4m for single-storey, cannot exceed existing house for two-storey • Cannot extend beyond the front wall facing a highway

**Special Note:** Larger single-storey rear extensions (over 3m for semi/terraced, over 4m for detached) require prior approval from your local authority and neighbour consultation.

**What it covers:** Loft conversions, roof extensions, dormer windows, and hip-to-gable conversions.

**Key Limits:** • Additional volume: up to 40m³ for terraced houses, up to 50m³ for detached/semi-detached • Roof extensions cannot exceed the highest part of the existing roof • Materials must be similar in appearance • Side-facing windows must be obscure-glazed and non-opening below 1.7m • No balconies or raised platforms permitted

**Design Restrictions:** Roof extensions must be set back at least 20cm from the eaves and must not project above the existing roof plane on highway-facing slopes.

**What it covers:** Alterations to the roof that aren't extensions, such as adding solar panels, changing roof covering materials, or installing roof lights.

**Key Limits:** • Roof alterations must not protrude more than 150mm from the roof slope • Solar panels must not protrude more than 200mm from the roof slope • Side-facing roof lights must be obscure-glazed and non-opening unless 1.7m above the floor • Must not result in the highest part of the alteration being higher than the highest part of the existing roof

**Typical Uses:** • Installing roof windows (Velux-style) • Adding solar panels • Changing roof tiles • Installing roof ventilation

**What it covers:** Porches outside external doors of your house.

**Key Limits:** • Floor area: maximum 3m² • Height: not exceeding 3m • Distance from highway boundary: any part must be at least 2m from any boundary adjoining a highway

**Note:** The 2m distance requirement only applies to boundaries that adjoin highways (roads, footpaths), not to all boundaries.

**Typical Uses:** • Front door porches • Back door canopies • Side door porches

**What it covers:** Outbuildings including garden sheds, greenhouses, garages, swimming pools, and other structures within your property boundary.

**Key Limits:** • Must not be located in front of the principal elevation • Maximum eaves height: 2.5m • Maximum height: 4m for dual-pitched roofs, 3m for other roofs (including flat), but only 2.5m if within 2m of a boundary • Maximum area: 50% of garden land not covered by the original dwelling

**Restrictions in ALL Designated Areas (including Conservation Areas):** Outbuildings cannot be located to the side of the dwelling - they must be in the rear garden.

**Additional Restrictions in AONBs, National Parks, the Broads, and World Heritage Sites:** In these specific areas (but NOT Conservation Areas), individual outbuildings located more than 20m from any wall of the original dwelling are limited to 10m² each. This limit applies per building, not as a combined total. Buildings within 20m of the house have no specific area limit.

**Important:** The 10m² area restriction does NOT apply to Conservation Areas. Conservation Areas only have the side-elevation restriction (outbuildings must be to the rear).

**What it covers:** Creating hard standings, driveways, patios, and other hard surfaces within your property boundary.

**Key Limits:** • If creating a hard surface in front of your house (in front of the principal elevation facing a road), you must use permeable materials or provide drainage to a permeable area

**Why It Matters:** This requirement helps prevent flooding by ensuring rainwater can drain away naturally rather than running directly into drains and sewers.

**What it covers:** Installation, alteration, or replacement of chimneys, flues, or soil and vent pipes on your house.

**Key Limits:** • Must not be located on a wall or roof slope facing a highway if reasonably practicable to site elsewhere • Maximum height of 1m above the roof slope or the existing chimney (whichever is higher)

**Typical Uses:** • Installing a new boiler flue • Adding a wood burner chimney • Replacing soil pipes

**What it covers:** Installing satellite dishes, TV antennas, and other communications equipment on your property.

**Key Limits:** • Size restrictions: generally not exceeding 100cm in any dimension • Number limits: typically only one or two dishes per dwelling • Location restrictions: should not be installed on chimneys; restrictions apply in conservation areas

**Special Considerations:** In conservation areas and other designated land, additional restrictions may apply to antenna placement.

**Class A: Gates, Fences, Walls** You can erect, maintain, improve or alter gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure, provided: • Height does not exceed 1m if adjacent to a highway used by vehicular traffic, or 2m elsewhere (including adjacent to footpaths) • Not within the curtilage of a listed building

**Class B: Means of Access** Formation, laying out, or construction of a means of access to a highway which is not a trunk road or a classified road, where required in connection with development permitted by another class.

**Class C: Exterior Painting** Painting of the exterior of any building or work, except where the painting is for the purpose of advertisement, announcement, or direction.

Our assessment tool guides you through the specific conditions for each class. Simply describe your project, and we'll tell you:

• Which permitted development class applies
• Whether you meet all the conditions
• If you need prior approval
• Whether planning permission is required instead