Thinking of upgrading your home, but dreading the red tape? Good news: many improvements can be made under \u201cpermitted development rights<\/strong>\u201d meaning you can skip the planning permission process.<\/p>\n However, it\u2019s crucial to understand the rules to avoid costly mistakes. Here\u2019s your guide to savvy home upgrades that keep you on the right side of the law.<\/p>\n Yes, you can build an extension without planning permission, provided it sticks to certain criteria. It depends on the type of property you have, and whether it falls under certain dimensions.<\/p>\n If you have a bungalow, you can add one storey under permitted development rights. If your home already has two storeys, you can add up to two more, so long as:<\/p>\n Transforming your loft into a function space is typically allowed without planning permission. You can:<\/p>\n Converting an existing garage into living space typically doesn\u2019t require planning permission, as long as:<\/p>\n Building regulations approval is necessary to ensure the new space is safe and habitable. And if your garage is detached and you want to convert it into an annexe or bedroom, you will need full planning permission.<\/p>\n If your garage was built after your home, then you should check with your local authority that it hasn\u2019t already used your home\u2019s permitted development allocation.<\/p>\n You can install solar panels is without planning permission, provided:<\/p>\n Again, rules may be different for listed buildings or conservation areas.<\/p>\n Most internal changes, such as installing a new kitchen or bathroom, do not require planning permission. You can replace windows, doors or even rooflights, and knock down walls.<\/p>\n There will be exceptions though \u2013 you may need buildings regulations approval on structural and electrical works, and if your alterations affect listed buildings.<\/p>\n You can add conservatories under permitted development rights. Much like other extensions, buildings regulations approval is needed and there are guidelines. Your new conservatory must be:<\/p>\n While many projects fall under permitted development, some seemingly minor changes can catch homeowners off guard.<\/p>\n You may think that because these aren\u2019t attached to the house, you don\u2019t need planning permission. But that\u2019s only true for greenhouses, sheds or garden buildings of a certain size.<\/p>\n If the structure covers more than 50% of the land around the house, is in front of the property, or exceeds certain height restrictions, then you need planning permission.<\/p>\n It may seem like a mundane task, but many trees are protected by preservation orders.<\/a> So before you take your secateurs out into the garden and start chopping, make sure you don\u2019t need consent from the local authority to prune them. <\/p>\n And if you want to fell a protected tree, you\u2019ll need planning permission. Read more about gardening and little-known laws you could be breaking!<\/a><\/p>\n If you\u2019re considering changing your driveway, or maybe paving over lawn to build one, then you may need planning permission. It all depends on the size, material you use, surface water drainage and how much it could affect your neighbours.<\/p>\n For example, gravel or permeable concrete paving allows rainwater to drain into the ground, and may not need planning permission. Tarmac or concrete are impermeable, so you\u2019d need planning consent. If you\u2019re paving more than 5 square metres then you\u2019ll need planning permission too.<\/p>\n Again, this all depends on the size and height of your design. Any timber decking that\u2019s 30cm above ground level could create a situation where you\u2019re overlooking a neighbouring property. And for that, you\u2019ll need planning permission.<\/p>\n Similarly, if your proposed decking will cover upwards of 50% of your garden area, then you\u2019ll need permission.<\/p>\n Any fence or wall over 2 metres high requires permission, or 1 metre if adjacent to a highway, requires permission. If you share a boundary, consult your neighbours beforehand to avoid any disputes.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s say you make a change to your home or garden, without any required planning permission. Your local authority can demand that you submit a \u2018retrospective planning application\u2019 for the work that\u2019s been done.<\/p>\n Doing things this way is risky. If the application is refused, you could earn an enforcement notice that requires you to return everything to how it was before. And you\u2019ll have to pay for it all. So it really isn\u2019t worth it!<\/p>\n While planning permission might not always be necessary, insurance<\/em> is another matter entirely. Certain renovations can alter the value of your property, increase risk (especially during building works<\/em>), or even leave you temporarily underinsured if you don\u2019t update your policy.<\/p>\n At Howden<\/strong>, we make it simple. From reviewing your current cover to arranging specific insurance for ongoing works (like renovation<\/a> or unoccupied home insurance<\/a><\/strong>), we\u2019re on hand to make sure you\u2019re properly protected. Pop into your local Howden Insurance branch<\/strong> or get in touch online<\/a> for tailored advice from real people who understand the value of your home\u2014inside and out.<\/p>\n Sources: Zoopla, GOV.UK, Property Wire, Checkatrade<\/p>\n This is a marketing blog by Howden Insurance.<\/em><\/p>\n \t\t<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Thinking of upgrading your home, but dreading the red tape? Good news: many improvements can be made under \u201cpermitted development rights\u201d meaning you can skip the planning permission process. However, it\u2019s crucial to understand the rules to avoid costly mistakes. Here\u2019s your guide to savvy home upgrades that keep you on the right side of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":266396,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[94],"tags":[4629,1159,19799,11738,10922],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-266395","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insurance","tag-dont","tag-home","tag-improvements","tag-permission","tag-planning"],"yoast_head":"\n1. Extensions<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.howdeninsurance.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1.png\")
\n<\/picture>\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/picture>\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nAdding another storey<\/h3>\n
\n<\/picture>\n<\/a><\/figure>\nLoft conversions<\/h3>\n
\n<\/picture>\n<\/a><\/figure>\n2. Garage conversions<\/h2>\n
\n
3. Solar panels<\/h2>\n
\n
4. Internal renovations<\/h2>\n
5. Conservatories<\/h2>\n
\n<\/picture>\n<\/a><\/figure>\nSurprising things that do require planning permission<\/h2>\n
1. Greenhouses, sheds and garden buildings<\/h3>\n
2. Pruning trees<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. New driveways<\/h3>\n
4. Decking<\/h3>\n
5. Fences and walls<\/h3>\n
If things go wrong<\/h2>\n
Don\u2019t forget insurance!<\/h2>\n
You could also read:<\/h2>\n