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Many kinds of buildings and structures, including sheds, garages, containers for oil or LPG storage, swimming pools and enclosures (including tennis courts) can be built in your garden or on the land around your house without the need to apply for planning permission.
The Government published new legislation in respect of the types of development that a householder can carry out without planning permission, which came into force on 1st October 2008. The Government has produced easy to use interactive guides to the new changes on the Planning Portal website. You can explore an interactive semi-detached house for advice on common householder projects, and an interactive terrace for advice on terraced houses, flats, shops and basements (Macromedia Flash is required to use these). The Planning Portal provides comprehensive information for householders, and you can check a list of common building projects to see if the works you are considering will need permission.
Building and Structures
Download a Self Assessment Form for Outbuildings (705kb, PDF).
You need to apply for planning permission if any of the following cases apply:
- If your house is in a Conservation Area and any part of the structure would be located between the side wall of the house and the boundary;
- You want to put up a building/structure which would be forward of the principal elevation of the original house;
- The building/structure would be within the curtilage of a Listed Building;
- The height of the building/structure would be more than 4 metres high if it has a ridged roof, more than 2.5 metres high for any structure within 2 metres of the boundary, or more than 3 metres high in any other case;
- The eaves height of the building/structure would be more than 2.5 metres high;
- More than 50% of land around the original house would be covered by additions or buildings;
- The building or structure is not to be used for purposes ancillary to the domestic use of the dwelling;
- The building would have more than one storey;
- It consists of or includes a veranda, balcony or raised platform (above 300mm high)
Note: The term "highway" includes public roads, footpaths, bridleways and byways.
Containers used for the storage of oil or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) used for domestic heating purposes are subject to the same restrictions as buildings and structures, and the capacity of a container cannot exceed 3,500 litres.
Fences, Walls and Gates
You will need to apply for planning permission if any of the following cases apply:
- If the fence, wall or gate would be over 1 metre high and next to a highway used by vehicles; or over 2 metres high elsewhere; or
- Your house is a Listed Building or is in the curtilage of a Listed Building.
You will not need to apply for planning permission to take down a fence, wall, or gate, or to alter or improve an existing fence, wall or gate (no matter how high) if you don't increase its height. In a Conservation area, however, you will need Conservation Area consent to take down a fence, wall or gate where it would have required planning permission.
Patios or Driveways
Check if planning permission is required for your hard surface by downloading a Self Assessment Form for Hard Surfacings (649kb, PDF).
If you wish to replace or provide an area of hard surface larger than 5 square metres between the principal elevation of your house and the highway, then there are strict controls over the type of surfacing that does not require planning permission. The use of porous materials or the direction of run-off water to a permeable or porous area within your curtilage does not require planning permission. Guidance in respect of the types of surfacing that are permitted can be found on the Communities and Local Government website. If you cannot use porous surfacing, or cannot direct run-off to a permeable or porous area within your curtilage then planning permission would be required, and you would need to demonstrate why this is not possible when making your application.
Significant works of embanking or terracing may need planning permission. An elevated patio or decking, especially if it creates useable space underneath, may be regarded as an extension or garden building, and will be subject to the size limits set out above.
You must obtain the separate approval of Warwickshire County Council (as Highway Authority) for a dropped crossing if a new driveway would cross a pavement or verge. You will also need to apply for planning permission to the District Council if the access is onto a Classified Road (ie a I, II or III Class road). The Highway Authority can be contacted on 01926 412515.
Renewable Energy Microgeneration Equipment
Download a Self Assessment Form for Renewable Energy Microgeneration Equipment (706kb, PDF).
This form includes ground source heat pumps, water source heat pumps and flues for biomass heatin systems or combined heat and power systems.
Find out more information about greener homes and micro-generation on the Planning Portal.
More Information
For more information regarding how to submit applications please go to Applying for Planning Permission. If you are in any doubt about whether you need to apply, you should consult the Development Control Section of the planning department.
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