Permitted Development
Permitted development rights are certain types of minor changes to the home which can be undertaken without the need to apply for planning permission. These rights, called ''permitted development rights'', are derived from a general planning permission granted not by the local Authority but by Parliament. In some areas of the country permitted development rights are more restricted.

If you live in a Conservation Area, a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the Norfolk or Suffolk Broads, you will need to apply for planning permission for certain types of work which do not need an application in other areas. There are also different requirements if the house is a listed building. Easyplan has experience in dealing with numerous listed building applications and will assist as needed.

The council's powers to withdraw permitted development rights.
The council may have removed some of the permitted development rights by issuing an Article 4 direction.

This will mean that you have to submit a planning application for work that normally does not need one. Article 4 directions are made when the character of an area of acknowledged importance would be threatened. These regulations are most common in conservation areas and also new housing estates where there is a high density of property.

Height limits for extensions
Planning Permission will be required if:
* the extension is higher than the highest part of the roof of the ''original house''; or *any part of the extension is more than 4 metres high and is within 2 metres of the boundary of the property. (Loft conversions and dormers have separate rules, explained below.)

In the following circumstances, the volume of other buildings that belong to the house (such as a garage or shed) will count against the volume allowances. In some cases, this can include buildings that were built at the same time as the house or existed on 1 July 1948.

* An extension comes within 5 metres of another building belonging to the house, the volume of that building counts against the allowance for additions and extensions.

Any building which has been added to the property and which is more than 10 cubic metres in volume and which is within 5 metres of the house is treated as an extension of the house and so reduces the allowance for further extensions.

If any of these cases apply, the volume of the building concerned will be deducted from the volume limit for extensions and additions to the house. For example, if the volume limit is 50 cubic metres and a building of 15 cubic metres in volume is treated as an extension to the house, then the volume limit for extensions would be reduced to 35 cubic metres.

Adding a porch
Planning permission will be required if the porch:

*The porch has a ground area (measured externally) of more than 3 square metres.

*The porch will be higher than 3 metres above ground level .

*The porch will be less than 2 metres away from the boundary of a dwelling house with a highway (which includes all public roads, footpaths, bridleways and byways).

Fences, walls and gates
Planning permission will be required if you wish to erect or alter a fence, wall or gate, and:

*The house is a listed building or in the curtilage of a listed building.

*The fence, wall or gate would be over 1 metre high and next to a highway used for vehicles; or over 2 metres high elsewhere.

Planning permission is not required for hedges or trees. However, if there is a condition attached to the planning permission for the property which restricts the planting of hedges or trees (for example, on an "open plan'' estate or where a sight line might be blocked), you will need to obtain the council's consent to relax or remove the condition before planting a hedge or tree screen.

Patios, hard standing, paths and driveways.
Planning permission is not required for hedges or trees. However, if there is a condition attached to the planning permission for the property which restricts the planting of hedges or trees (for example, on an "open plan'' estate or where a sight line might be blocked), you will need to obtain the council's consent to relax or remove the condition before planting a hedge or tree screen.

You will also need to apply for planning permission if the hard surface is not for domestic purposes and is to be used instead, for example, for parking a commercial vehicle or for storing goods in connection with a business. You must obtain the separate approval of the highways department of the council if a new driveway would cross a pavement or verge. You will also need to apply for planning permission if you want to make a new or wider access for the driveway on to a trunk or other classified road. The highways department of the council can tell you if the road falls into this category.

Measure the height of buildings from the ground level immediately next to it. If the ground is uneven, you should measure from the highest part of the surface.