Permitted Development Rights in London: 25 Common Questions Answered (2025)

Q1: How far can I extend to the rear of my house under permitted development in London? For a detached house: up to 4 metres from the original rear wall, under the standard PD limits (Class A, Part 1, Schedule 2 of the GPDO 2015). For a semi-detached or terrace: up to 3 metres from the original rear wall. 'Original' means the rear wall as it was on 1 July 1948 (or when the house was built, if after that date) — not the rear wall as it is today if previous extensions have been built. Q2: Can I build a rear extension larger than 3 or 4 metres under the Neighbour Consultation Scheme (prior approval)? Yes — the Neighbour Consultation Scheme (prior approval process, under Class A2) allows a larger rear extension: up to 6 metres for a semi-detached or terraced house; up to 8 metres for a detached house. Under this scheme, the LPA notifies neighbouring properties (within 42 days). If no objection is received from an adjoining owner, the extension can proceed. If an objection is received, the LPA makes a prior approval determination (taking into account the impact on the amenity of adjoining properties). Prior approval must be obtained before starting work. Q3: What is the maximum height for a PD single-storey rear extension in London? The eaves height of the extension must not exceed 3 metres if it is within 2 metres of a boundary. The maximum overall height (including at the ridge, for a pitched roof) must not exceed 4 metres. Q4: My London terrace has a basement — can I extend the basement under PD? No — PD rights for dwellinghouses do not cover the excavation of a new basement or the creation of new basement living space. A new basement or the extension of an existing basement always requires a planning application. Q5: Can I have a flat-roof rear extension under PD in London? Yes — a flat roof is permitted. The height limit (3m eaves within 2m of boundary) still applies, but there is no requirement for a pitched roof. Q6: Can I extend sideways (to the side) as well as to the rear under PD? A Class A PD extension can incorporate both a side and rear element (an 'L-shape' extension) provided: the total projection to the rear does not exceed the rear extension limits (3m for semi/terrace, 4m for detached); the total width of the side extension does not exceed 50% of the width of the original house. Q7: I've already built an extension — can I build another one under PD? PD rights are cumulative: if a previous extension has used part of the PD allowance, the remaining allowance is reduced accordingly. Total extensions (including any built since 1948 or the date of construction if later) must not exceed the PD limits. Q8: Can I build a single-storey rear extension in a conservation area under PD? Yes — single-storey rear extensions are permitted under PD in conservation areas, subject to the standard limits. However, a side extension that faces a highway in a conservation area is not PD — it requires planning permission. Cladding the exterior of the house with stone, artificial stone, pebble dash, render, timber, plastic, or tiles is not PD in a conservation area (Article 4 or not — conservation area status alone removes this PD right in England). The extension itself (to the rear, not visible from the street) is still PD.

Q9: Can I convert my loft under permitted development in London? Yes — a loft conversion is PD (Class B, Part 1, Schedule 2 of the GPDO 2015) provided: the additional volume created does not exceed 40 cubic metres for a semi-detached or terraced house (50 cubic metres for a detached house); the roof alteration does not exceed the highest point of the existing roof; no side-facing windows are inserted above ground-floor level (or any side-facing windows in a conservation area); the roof materials are similar in appearance to the existing house. Q10: Does a loft dormer count as PD in London? A rear dormer (opening onto the rear roof slope) is PD provided the total volume added by the loft conversion (including the dormer) does not exceed 40 cubic metres for a semi or terrace. A side dormer is not PD. Q11: Can I add a Juliet balcony or terrace to a rear dormer under PD? A roof terrace or Juliet balcony on a rear dormer is not PD — it is not included within the PD rights for loft conversions. If you want a terrace on top of a rear dormer or extension, you need planning permission. Q12: My London property is a flat — can I do a loft conversion under PD? No — PD rights for extensions and loft conversions under Parts 1 and 2 of the GPDO apply only to dwellinghouses (Class C3). Flats, maisonettes, studios, and listed buildings do not benefit from these PD rights. Q13: Can I add roof lights (Velux windows) under PD? Yes — roof lights (windows in the plane of the existing roof slope) are PD. However: no roof light on a side elevation facing a highway (or in a conservation area) is PD above ground floor level; the roof light must not protrude more than 150mm above the plane of the roof slope. Q14: Does PD allow me to convert my loft in a conservation area? Yes — loft conversions (including rear dormers) are PD in conservation areas, subject to the same limits. However, a side dormer facing a highway in a conservation area is NOT PD. Q15: I have planning conditions that remove my PD rights — what can I do? Where a planning condition removes PD rights (commonly worded as 'Notwithstanding the provisions of the GPDO, no extension or alteration shall be carried out to the dwelling without the prior written consent of the Local Planning Authority'), you must apply for planning permission for any work that would otherwise be PD. You can also apply to remove the condition (an application to vary or remove a planning condition under Section 73 of the TCPA 1990). Q16: Can I build a garden room or shed in my back garden under PD? Yes — outbuildings (Class E, Part 1 of the GPDO) are PD: in the garden of a house (not forward of the principal elevation); provided no part of the outbuilding is within 2 metres of a boundary if it is over 2.5m in height; provided total height does not exceed 4m (pitched) or 3m (flat or mono-pitch); provided the combined footprint of the outbuilding and all other outbuildings does not exceed 50% of the garden area. Q17: Can I build a gym, home office, or swimming pool annexe under PD? An outbuilding used incidentally to the enjoyment of the house (storage, gym, home office, hobby room, car port) is PD under Class E. A swimming pool is an outbuilding and is PD subject to the same limits. An outbuilding used as a self-contained separate dwelling is NOT PD (it would need planning permission for the new residential unit). Q18: Does an outbuilding in a conservation area require planning permission? Outbuildings are PD in conservation areas — but the restriction on cladding the exterior with non-matching materials in a conservation area applies to the main house, not to an outbuilding (outbuildings have their own separate Class E rules). An outbuilding forward of the principal elevation in a conservation area is not PD. Q19: Can I add a porch to my London house under PD? Yes — a porch is PD (Class D, Part 1) provided: the ground area of the porch does not exceed 3 sq m; the height does not exceed 3m; no part of the porch is within 2m of any boundary with a highway. Q20: Can I add a satellite dish to my house in London under PD? A satellite dish is PD (Class H, Part 1) on the main roof or a chimney, subject to limits on size and height, provided it does not face a highway in a conservation area. Q21: Can I install solar panels (PV panels) on my house under PD? Solar PV panels are PD on a dwellinghouse (Class A, Part 14 of the GPDO) subject to limits on the protrusion above the roof plane. In a conservation area, panels on a roof slope visible from a highway are not PD. Q22: Can I replace my windows under PD in London? Replacing like-for-like windows is generally PD — changing window style (e.g., casement to sash) or double glazing an existing window. In a conservation area, replacing windows with UPVC is commonly restricted by Local Design Codes or Article 4 Directions — check with the LPA or ensure materials are matching. Q23: What is a Certificate of Lawful Development (CLD) and when should I get one? A CLD (Certificate of Lawful Proposed Use or Development — CLPUD, or Certificate of Lawful Existing Use or Development — CLEUD) is a formal determination from the LPA confirming that a specific development is lawful (either because it is PD or because it has been lawful for a specified period). For a PD extension or loft conversion: a CLPUD gives certainty that the proposal is PD. It is not mandatory but is strongly recommended where the PD limits are close (e.g., the extension is within 200mm of the 3m limit for a terrace), or where the property is to be sold in the near future (the buyer's solicitor will accept a CLD as evidence of lawfulness). Fee: £106 for a householder CLPUD application. Q24: My property is listed — do PD rights apply? No — PD rights do not apply to listed buildings or buildings within the curtilage of a listed building. Any works to a listed building (internally or externally) require Listed Building Consent in addition to any planning permission required. Q25: My London flat is leasehold — do PD rights apply? PD rights are planning law rights — they give permission from the LPA for certain types of work. They do not override the terms of a lease. Even if works are PD (no planning permission required), the leaseholder still needs consent from the freeholder (the landlord) under the lease terms before carrying out any works. Always check the lease and obtain the freeholder's consent (a Licence to Alter) before starting any building works, regardless of whether planning permission is needed.

Article 4 Directions: an Article 4 Direction is a formal direction made by an LPA (with the Secretary of State's approval for certain types) that removes specific PD rights in a defined geographic area. Article 4 Directions are commonly used in London to: protect the character of conservation areas (removing PD rights to alter windows, doors, and roof materials in residential properties within a conservation area); protect parking provision (removing the PD right to convert a garage to a habitable room where the garage provides off-street parking that the LPA wants to protect); protect the HMO balance in an area (removing the PD right to convert a single-family dwelling to an HMO without planning permission). Where an Article 4 Direction applies: the homeowner must apply for planning permission for the work that would otherwise be PD. The LPA assesses the application against the relevant policies in the local plan and the design guidance. In inner London, many properties are in conservation areas with Article 4 Directions — the most common restriction is on alterations to the appearance of the front elevation (replacing windows and doors, altering the roof, adding cladding or external materials). How to check for an Article 4 Direction: check the borough's planning website; call the planning department; look at the planning permission for the house (any Article 4 condition or planning condition removing PD rights should be revealed here); look at the conservation area Character Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMAP) document on the borough's website. Conservation area status and its effect on PD: being in a conservation area does not remove all PD rights. It removes specific PD rights: cladding the exterior of the house with stone, artificial stone, pebble dash, render, timber, plastic, or tiles (not PD in a conservation area); a satellite dish or antenna on a chimney or wall or roof facing a highway (not PD in a conservation area); an outbuilding, enclosure, or structure forward of the principal elevation (not PD in a conservation area — same rule as outside conservation areas, but strictly enforced). Works that remain PD even in a conservation area (subject to the standard limits): rear extensions; loft conversions (rear dormers); outbuildings in the rear garden; porches (not forward of the principal elevation and within the size limits). Flats and maisonettes: PD rights for extensions, loft conversions, and outbuildings under Parts 1 and 2 of the GPDO apply only to dwellinghouses (Class C3 use) on their own curtilage. Flats, maisonettes, purpose-built apartment blocks, and buildings converted to flats do not benefit from these PD rights. Any works to a flat or maisonette (including internal works that affect the structure, external appearance, or building envelope) require planning permission and/or Listed Building Consent where applicable.