If you’ve been considering enlarging or altering your home in any way, you may have come across permitted development rights (PDR).
Permitted development rights for householders, despite what many believe, is not such a difficult concept to understand. For homeowners, these rights act as an alternative to planning permission.
But of course, you need more to go off than just that, so we put together this easy-to-understand blog on permitted development rights explained.
What are Permitted Development Rights?
Permitted development rights are a scheme that was created by the government, and they allow you to make improvements to your home – such as enlarging your home with an extension – without needing planning permission.

Though for your project to fall under permitted development rights, you must adhere to strict rules and guidelines which we will highlight in this blog.
What Projects Fall Under Permitted Development Rights?
As we mentioned above, some rules and guidelines must be followed to avoid the need for planning permission. Also, not all home improvement projects can fall under permitted development rights.
Though, one of the benefits of permitted development rights is that there are plenty of projects that can be achieved. So, let’s take a look at the different projects you can take on with PDR and what the guidelines are for each.

While these guidelines are accurate, it’s important to discuss your project with an expert before getting started as there may be important considerations and exemptions to take into account for individual projects. Also, if you need help understanding permitted development rules, speak to a professional.
Side or Rear Single-Storey Extension Permitted Development Rights
You can create a side or rear extension onto your property if:
- You use similar materials to the existing dwelling
- Your extension takes up less than 50% of the land around the existing dwelling
- The extension is less than 4m in height
- Its eaves and ridges are not taller than the existing dwelling
- Rear extensions must not extend beyond the rear wall of the existing dwelling by 3m for an attached house or 4m for a detached house
- Side extensions must take up less than 50% of the width of the existing dwelling
These permitted development extension guidelines also apply to timber frame extensions, but remember, materials must be similar to the existing dwelling.
Two-Storey Extension Permitted Development Rights
You can create a two-storey extension onto your property if:
- You use similar materials to the existing dwelling
- Your extension takes up less than 50% of the land around the existing dwelling
- Your extension must take up less than 50% of the width of the existing dwelling
- Its eaves and ridges are not taller than the existing dwelling
- The existing dwelling is not a single-storey home
- Terraces must be no more than 3.5m higher than the next tallest terrace
These permitted development extension guidelines also apply to timber frame extensions, but remember, materials must be similar to the existing dwelling.
Remodel Interior Floor Plan Permitted Development Rights
You can remodel your interior floor plan if:
- You do not extend the footprint of the property
It’s also important to follow any building regulations that may be in force.
Garden Room Permitted Development Rights
You can create a garden room on your property if:
- Your garden shed is a single storey
- Its eaves are no more than 2.5m high from ground level
- You build up to 4m for a gable
- You build up to 3m for any other design
- You build up to 2.5m if within 2m of the boundary
- Your garden room must take up less than 50% of the land around the existing dwelling
- You use the garden room daily living
Garage Conversion Permitted Development Rights
You can convert your garage if:
- All works are internal
- You use similar materials to the existing dwelling
- You do not extend the footprint of the garage
- You use the converted garage for daily living
Basement Conversion Permitted Development Rights
You can convert your basement if:
- You do not make changes to the exterior
- You use the converted basement for daily living
- You do not excavate
Loft Conversion Permitted Development Rights
You can convert your loft if:
- You use similar materials to the existing dwelling
- Additional roof space created must not exceed 40 cubic metres for terraced houses or 50 cubic metres for detached and semi-detached houses
- The new roof pitch is the same as the roof pitch of the existing dwelling
- The roof extension is not higher than the highest part of the existing roof
- Side-facing windows are obscured, glazed and non-opening
- Windows that are less than 1.7 metres from the floor level are non-opening
Applying for Permitted Development Rights
In truth, applying for permitted development rights takes a similar amount of time as a planning application does. Though with PDR, you don’t actually need approval to get started; you just need to be absolutely certain you have understood the rules correctly and applied them to your project.

And the best way of ensuring you have interpreted the PDR guidelines correctly is to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate.
To apply, you need to submit an application to your local council detailing what you intend to do (your project) and then explain how it adheres to the guidelines assigned to PDR.
This way, you will be certain that your project falls under permitted development rights and is lawful.
Permitted Development Rights vs Planning Permission
An easy way of remembering the difference between PDR and planning permission is that with planning permission, you are asking for permission to build, whereas with PDR, you are notifying the appropriate party.

The key to understanding permitted development rights is that the rules and guidelines are all that are important – as long as you have met them, PDR will be granted and if you haven’t complied with the rules, PDR will be rejected.
It’s also important to note that when you work with Bespoke Construction Group for your build, we have a 100% success rate with planning permission approval. This is ideal if you find the permitted development guidelines too limiting.
Permitted Development Rights Restrictions
Finally, we wanted to let you know of the exclusions when it comes to PDR. It may be impossible or more difficult for your project to benefit from permitted development rights if your property is:
- A flat
- A maisonette
- A listed building
- Located within a conservation area
- Located within a national park
- Located within an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- Located within a World Heritage Site
- Located within the Norfolk or Suffolk Broads
Final Thoughts
The benefits of permitted development rights for householders can’t be overlooked, with the main advantage being that a person can improve their home without the need for planning permission.
By understanding permitted development rules, there’s no reason why you can’t use these rights to create something amazing.
Are permitted development rights better than planning permission? As helpful as they are, some see PDR as too limiting; the guidelines and rules that come with these rights are so strict that some believe that obtaining planning permission gives them more freedom with their project.
If it’s permitted development rights vs planning permission and you’re leaning more towards the route of acquiring planning permission for your project, Bespoke Construction Group could help. As we mentioned earlier, we have a 100% success rate in getting projects approved for planning permission.
Speak to our helpful team today.