Five things St Albans homeowners can build without planning permission
Thinking of extending but dreading the planning process? You might not need it. Permitted development rights let homeowners make significant improvements without a full planning application — here are five of the most useful.
- A single-storey rear extension. Semi-detached and terraced houses can extend up to 3 metres from the original rear wall, detached houses up to 4 metres – and with a simpler “prior approval” process, that can stretch to 6 and 8 metres respectively.
- A loft conversion. You can add up to 40 cubic metres of roof space on a terraced house, or 50 cubic metres on a semi or detached home, including rear dormers – often enough for a double bedroom and en-suite.
- A garage conversion. Converting an attached garage into living space usually needs no planning permission at all, as the work is internal.
- A garden room or home office. Outbuildings are permitted across up to half your garden, with a maximum height of 2.5 metres when within 2 metres of a boundary – ideal for anyone working from home.
- A porch. Up to 3 square metres of footprint, under 3 metres high and at least 2 metres from the highway.
One important St Albans caveat: several parts of the district sit within conservation areas, where these rights are restricted or removed – and they don’t apply to flats.
It’s always worth confirming your home qualifies before building, ideally with a lawful development certificate, which proves the work was legal when you come to sell.
Mark Eden is the founder of Hampshire Build, the residential architectural design practice based in Suite 14 at STANTA.
Read the full permitted development guide here
To get a feel for what we do in the local area, take a look at our Hertfordshire architect services.
