Consent types

The Householder Application for Planning Permission for Works or Extension to a Dwelling

Town and Country Planning Act 1990¹

What is householder planning permission?

Householder planning applications provide a simplified process for proposals to alter or enlarge a single house (but not a flat), including works within the boundary/garden. This is commonly used if you are a homeowner wishing to complete work on your home.

This does not apply to applications affecting flats, more than one house or changes of use. For these a Full Planning Permission² request will be necessary.

Planning permission is not required for all work on houses. Permitted development³ allows for several household building projects to be carried out. The applicability of permitted development depends on certain limitations and conditions.

When is permission required?

You may wish to improve or alter your home, our interactive house⁴ and list of common projects⁵ covers many types of ‘householder developments’. Some of the most popular are:

• Extensions⁶
• Conservatories⁷
• Loft conversions⁸
• Dormer windows⁹
• Garages¹⁰
• Outbuildings¹¹
• Swimming pools¹²
• Walls and fences¹³
• Porches¹⁴
• Satellite dishes¹⁵

Exclusions

Changes to a house could fall under the remit of Permitted Development¹⁶. This does not require planning permission but may need prior approval¹⁷. Completing work under Permitted Development will require you to adhere to specific criteria.

Examples of work which may be contained in Permitted development rights include:

• Small extensions to your home
• Building a porch
• Replacement of chimneys
• Internal alterations
• Loft conversions and roof lights

Information required

The documents required to submit a Householder Planning Application will vary depending on the type of work intended. Most applications will require a Site plan and Location plan.

You will be required to provide sufficient plans and drawings to describe the proposal in detail. This may include the materials you plan on using, and a detailed description of the proposal including any works to trees and hedges.

Timeline

Decisions on householder planning applications should be made within 8 weeks. This starts once the application has been validated by the Local Planning Authority.

Fees

A householder application for work on a single house will cost £258, unless for a prior approval (e.g. larger rear extension) which will cost £120.

Our fee calculator¹⁸ can be used to give you an estimate of the cost of an application.

Householder applications will be exempt if they are for disabled access or that disabled person's greater safety, health, or comfort.

What happens next?

If approved then development can begin on your property, this must conform with any conditions placed on the application.

It is often helpful to discuss your proposal with your local authority before you send in your application – this is known as pre-application advice. Your local authority will normally have details of how to go about this on its website.

Further resources

Permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance¹⁹

1. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/8/section/62
2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/consent-types/full-planning-consent
3. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/responsibilities/planning-permission/permitted-development-rights
4. https://interactive.planningportal.co.uk/
5. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects
6. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/extensions
7. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/conservatories
8. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/loft-conversion
9. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/doors-and-windows
10. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/garage-conversion
11. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/outbuildings
12. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/swimming-pools
13. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/fences-gates-and-garden-walls
14. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/porches
15. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/satellite-tv-and-radio-antenna
16. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/responsibilities/planning-permission/permitted-development-rights
17. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/consent-types/prior-approval
18. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/app/fee-calculator
19. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/permitted-development-rights-for-householders-technical-guidance