When you’re making plans to improve your home, whether it’s opening up a kitchen, adding a bit of breathing room, or rethinking how you move through your space, planning permission often crops up as a big unknown. But before ideas become drawings and drawings become reality, there’s a practical question to answer: do I need planning permission?
In many cases, you can carry out work under what’s known as Permitted Development. This is a set of rights that allow you to make certain changes to your home without going through the full planning process. Projects such as converting a loft, adding a rear extension, or building a garden room typically fall into this category.
That said, there are limits. If your home is listed in a conservation or heritage area, or if the work goes beyond specific size or height restrictions, you may still need permission.
As a general rule, you’ll need permission if your renovation project changes the appearance of the house significantly. For example, adding a two-storey extension, building close to boundaries, or making changes to the front of the property.
Homes in protected areas, or those with listed status, nearly always require permission, no matter the scale of work. The same goes for projects that fall outside the scope of Permitted Development, whether it’s due to their size, their design, or local restrictions.
Every project is different, and it’s not always obvious whether planning permission is needed at first glance. That’s why, at Marraum, we help you explore the possibilities of your space alongside the practicalities of what’s allowed. If permission is needed, we’ll handle the process. If it isn’t, we’ll help you move ahead with confidence.
Want to learn more about the planning permission process and how our architects in Cornwall can help? Get in touch for a chat!