Permitted Development Rights: What You Can Build Without Planning Permission

What are permitted development rights?

Permitted development (PD) rights are pre-approved planning permissions granted by the government through the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015. They allow certain development to proceed without a full planning application.

Important limitations before you rely on PD rights

Article 4 Directions — local authorities can remove PD rights in specific areas. Common in conservation areas and town centres. Check with your local planning authority.

Listed buildings — PD rights are significantly restricted for listed buildings.

Conditions on previous planning permissions — can remove PD rights on specific sites.

Commercial PD rights relevant to small businesses

Class A — enlarging industrial and warehouse buildings

Industrial and warehouse buildings can be extended up to 25% of the original building's cubic content (or 1,000 sq m, whichever is lesser), subject to conditions.

Class MA — commercial to residential conversions

Class E commercial buildings can be converted to residential use under prior approval, subject to conditions:

• Used for Class E purposes for at least 2 years
• Empty for at least 3 months before application
• Development must begin within 3 years of prior approval
• Homes must meet minimum space standards

This has enabled many office-to-flat conversions.

Temporary uses

Land can be used for a temporary purpose for up to 28 days per year without planning permission (14 days for markets and motor racing).

Householder PD rights (relevant for home workers)

• Single-storey rear extensions: up to 3m depth for terraced/semi-detached, 4m for detached
• Loft conversions: up to 40 cubic metres for terraced, 50 cubic metres for detached/semi-detached
• Outbuildings: in the garden, not forward of the principal elevation, covering no more than 50% of the garden

Prior approval — still required for some PD works

Some PD rights require you to apply for prior approval — lighter than a full planning application but still involves submitting information to the LPA. Required for Class MA conversions, larger home extensions, and some agricultural-to-commercial conversions.

How to confirm PD rights apply

Apply for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) — formal confirmation from the LPA that your development is lawful. Not required before doing PD works, but provides certainty. Costs approximately half a full planning application fee.

What to do next

1. Check whether your proposal falls within any PD class above
2. Check whether any Article 4 Directions affect your area
3. If in doubt, apply for a Lawful Development Certificate
4. For commercial-to-residential conversions, consult a planning professional about Class MA

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Permitted development rights change frequently. Always check current legislation or use ClearPath for up-to-date guidance.