Building

• Changing a shop to a cafe

  If you already have a shop then chances are you're in the right commercial area for changing it to a cafe. Planning permission is however still required for this type of development.read article

• Ceilings and floors

  Planning permission is not normally required if you need to replace a ceiling or floor.read article

• Demolition

  In the vast majority of cases, you will not have to apply for planning permission to demolish your existing home.read article

• External walls

  You won't need planning permission for any repairs, maintenance or minor improvements (like painting) made to your external walls. This may not apply if you live in a listed building or a conservation area.read article

• Garage conversions

  On the whole, there is no need to apply for planning permission on garage conversions as long as the work is internal and you do not plan to make the building larger.read article

• Insulation

  You do not normally need to apply for planning permission when insulating your home, as long as the insulating process doesn't change the external appearance of your house.read article

• Internal walls

  Generally you don't need planning permission for removing, maintaining or altering an internal wall in your property.read article

• Loft conversions

  Planning permission for loft conversions is not normally needed unless you extend or alter the roof space and it exceeds specified limits and conditions.read article

• Converting a shop to an office or storage facility

  Planning permission would be required for this type of conversion as some authorities have specific policies to retain different levels of retail uses so that planners can strike a balance within a given area. Advertising and signage change is also likely to need consent.read article

• Buildings separated from the house

  This applies to anything that is constructed outside your house on your land; including sheds, greenhouses and even swimming pools.read article

• Regulations on party walls

  In England and Wales work carried out on a part of your property which adjoins your neighbours, must comply with the Party Wall Act 1996.read article

• Carports

  The planning permission required for carports is exactly the same as the planning rules surrounding any outbuilding, such as sheds, greenhouses and swimming pools.read article

• Chimneys

  You shouldn't find any trouble fitting, altering or replacing an external flue, chimney or soil and vent pipe without planning permission as long as you stick within the following parameters.read article

• Conservatories

  New regulations came into effect from 1st October 2008 that mean you don't have to apply for planning permission when building a conservatory as long as the following conditions are met.read article

• Extensions

  Since October 2008, you can build an extension without planning permission as long as the following parameters are met.read article

• Porches

  For porches, you need to apply for planning permission in the following circumstances.read article

• Changing a residence into a shop

  Planning permission would be required for this as you'd be changing your property into a different class within the planning system.read article

• Underpinning

  Planning permission for underpinning and foundation maintenance is not normally required.read article

• Checkmate for the housing sector's white knight?

  
  The government's plans to limit the development of shared residential property will leave the UK's housing supply in "desperate straits", critics claim.
  read article

• Don't get caught out by Building Control

  
  
  If you like to DIY or even if you are getting someone in to do the work, you should be aware of the different types of work that need to be notified.
  
  read article

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