From 1 October 2008 the rules relating to whether permission is needed for householder development such as extensions changed. The changes are contained within the General Permitted Development Order Amendment 

Visual information detailing the changes is available using the interactive house on the Planning Portal.

Rear extensions will no longer have volume limits. Loft conversions continue to have an overall volume cap to control overbearing conversions on larger homes. Examples of the changes are:

• Terraced houses: loft conversions can be up to 20cms back from the eaves of the roof or have a maximum volume of 40m3. In addition a single or two storey rear extension can go back a maximum of 3m from the original house.
  
• Semi-detached: loft conversions can be up to 20cms back from the eaves of the roof or have a maximum volume of 50m3. In addition a single or two storey rear extension can go back a maximum of 3m from original house.
  
• Detached: loft conversions can be up to 20cms back from the eaves of the roof or have a maximum volume of 50m3. In addition a rear extension can either be a single storey extension going 4m back, or two storey one going 3m back from the orignial house. 

The new regulations also reduce the flood risks caused by surface water run off. New driveways or parking areas over five square metres will require planning permission if they are constructed using surfaces that do not allow the water to soak through the ground.

However permeable surfacing will still receive automatic permission. Surface water can be drained using permeable surfaces such as concrete block paving with gaps, porous asphalt or gravel, wheel track only paving or through installation of 'soak-away' systems.

If you would like an opinion from us as to whether permission is needed for your proposal,  please complete a Householder Enquiry Form. 

Any opinion issued by us before 1 October 2008 may no longer apply if the works have not commenced and a further enquiry should be made.