Do I need planning permission?

A guide for householders

Introduction

Not all extensions and alterations to dwelling houses require planning permission. Certain types of development are permitted without the need to make a planning application. These notes offers simplified advice rather than a full explanation of planning law and it is always advisable to contact the National Park Authority (NPA) before commencing any work.

Whether or not planning permission is needed, good design is always important. Extensions and alterations should be in scale and harmony with your house, with attention to detail such as window openings and matching materials. Householders are encouraged to employ a skilled designer when preparing plans for extensions and alterations. The Authority's Planning Officers are able to offer general design guidance prior to the submission of your scheme.

Extensions and alterations to flats (other than internal alterations) will generally require planning permission. If your house is a listed building you should seek the advice of the NPA before commencing any works. The NPA will also give advice regarding the requirements for listed building consent.

Extensions

Planning permission is required for:

• extensions of more than 50 cubic metres in volume (any previous extensions, or buildings over 10 cubic metres erected within the grounds of your house, is deducted from this allowance);
• extensions higher than the highest part of the roof of the original building;
• extensions more than 4 metres high and within 2 metres of your boundary;
• extensions or alterations to the roof, including dormer windows (but permission is not normally required for skylights);
• extensions nearer to a highway than the nearest part of the original house (unless the house, as extended, would be at least 20 m away from the highway).

Porches

Planning permission is required if:

• the ground area exceeds 3 square metres;
• the height exceeds 3 metres;
• any part of the porch would be located within 2 metres of a highway

(Measurements are external)

Garages, greenhouses, sheds and other structures

Planning permission is required for:

• any building/structure nearer to a highway than the nearest part of the original house, unless more than 20 metres away from a highway;
• buildings/structures not required for domestic use;
• buildings/structures over 3 m high (or 4 m if it has a ridged roof);
• Liquid Propane Gas (LPG) tank;
• Oil storage tank holding more than 3,500 litres;
• any building/structure which would result in more than half of the grounds of your house being covered by buildings/structures.

Buildings erected within the grounds of your house which exceed 10 cubic metres in volume are treated as extensions to your house and therefore reduce the overall allowance of 50 cubic metres previously referred to.

Fences, walls and gates

Planning permission is required for any fence, wall or gate next to a highway if over 1 m high, (or 2 m high elsewhere), or if it would interfere with visibility required for highway safety.

Patios, hard standings, driveways

Planning permission is not required for hard standings, patios and driveways (unless these are not intended for domestic use). The making of an access onto a classified road (or the alteration of such an access) will normally require planning permission.

NB. In these notes a highway includes public roads, public footpaths and bridleways.

All Drawings are for illustration purposes only

More detailed advice is available from the National Park Office.