Permitted development rights & Lawful Development Certificates
One area where confusion often arises is permitted development. Many homeowners believe that if their extension falls under rights permitted development, they can build without any formal approvals or documentation. But that’s not quite right and it can lead to issues further down the line.
What Is a Permitted Development?
Permitted development allows certain types of work like single storey rear extensions or loft conversions, to be carried out without submitting a full planning application. These rights permitted development are useful, but they still come with limitations on height, footprint, and proximity to boundaries.
Why You Still Need a Lawful Development Certificate
Even when your project qualifies as permitted development, we always recommend and submit an application for a lawful development certificate.
Why? Because this certificate provides legal proof from your local authority that the extension complies with planning law. It becomes especially important when:
You decide to sell your property
Your solicitor needs evidence of compliance
Questions arise about whether the work was done legally
Without a lawful development certificate, you could face:
Delays in the sale process
Mortgage or valuation issues
Legal complications down the road
So… Do You Need to Apply to Planning?
Yes and no. Under permitted developments, you may not need full planning permission, but you should still submit a lawful development certificate application to secure proof that your project is compliant.
So the next time someone tells you, “You don’t need to apply to the planning department,” you can confidently say that’s not quite right.
How Paddick Engineering Helps
We take care of everything:
Preparing your permitted development drawings
Submitting the lawful development certificate application
Liaising with your local planning department
Providing structural calculations, if required
You’ll have peace of mind from start to finish, knowing your extension is legally protected and future-proofed.
📞 Get in Touch
Thinking of starting a project under permitted development? Let Paddick Engineering guide you through it with confidence.
