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 application 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. Projects can only be considered permitted development if they meet certain limitations and conditions.

When is permission required?

You may wish to improve or alter your home, government’s list of common projects⁴ can provide insight into the permissions required for common changes. Some of the most popular are:

• Extensions⁵
• Conservatories⁶
• Loft conversions⁷
• Doors and windows⁸
• Garages⁹
• Outbuildings¹⁰
• Walls and fences¹¹
• Porches¹²
• Satellite dishes¹³

Exclusions

Changes to a house could fall under the remit of Permitted Development¹⁴. This does not require an application for planning permission. Projects can only be considered permitted development if they meet certain limitations and conditions.

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 £230.

Householder applications will be exempt if they are solely 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 consent.

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 guidance¹⁵

1. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/8/section/62
2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/wales/applications/consent-types/full-planning-consent
3. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/wales/do-you-need-permission/your-responsibilities/planning-permission/permitted-development-rights
4. https://www.gov.wales/planning-permission-common-projects
5. https://www.gov.wales/planning-permission-extensions
6. https://www.gov.wales/planning-permission-conservatories
7. https://www.gov.wales/planning-permission-loft-conversions
8. https://www.gov.wales/planning-permission-doors-and-windows
9. https://www.gov.wales/planning-permission-garage-conversion
10. https://www.gov.wales/planning-permission-outbuildings
11. https://www.gov.wales/planning-permission-fences-gates-and-garden-walls
12. https://www.gov.wales/planning-permission-porches
13. https://www.gov.wales/planning-permission-satellite-tv-and-radio-antenna
14. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/wales/do-you-need-permission/your-responsibilities/planning-permission/permitted-development-rights
15. https://www.gov.wales/planning-permission-permitted-development-rights-householders