Do I need Planning?

Adding a driveway and dropped kerb involves two separate sets of rules. Your new driveway may be Permitted Development if you use permeable paving or manage the rainwater runoff correctly. However, creating the access with a dropped kerb always requires separate consent from your local council's Highways department. This guide explains both processes to ensure your project is approved and avoids causing flood risks.

Thinking about rooftop solar? In most cases you won’t need planning permission because domestic solar is permitted development. But there are traps: projection limits, flat-roof height caps, conservation area rules on a principal elevation, and special cases for listed buildings, Article 4 areas and stand-alone arrays. Below is a clear checklist (England first, with Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland differences flagged) plus smart ways to de-risk your project.

Changing your windows or doors seems simple, but it can be a planning permission minefield. While a like-for-like replacement is often allowed under Permitted Development, changing materials (e.g., from timber to uPVC) or living in a Conservation Area or listed building changes everything. This guide explains the rules, the risks of getting it wrong, and how to check if your project needs consent.

Thinking of building an extension or a new garden outbuilding? Before you start, you must understand the critical difference between needing full planning permission and using your Permitted Development rights. Getting this wrong can lead to costly enforcement action. This guide clarifies the key rules, size limits, and hidden traps like Article 4 Directions, ensuring your project is lawful from day one.

Thinking of a loft conversion to add a bedroom or office? Many are possible under Permitted Development (PD) rights, avoiding a full planning application. But adding a dormer window or altering the roof profile introduces strict rules. Understand the limits on volume, materials, and location to ensure your project is lawful and avoids costly enforcement action.