Not all residential extensions or alterations require full planning permission. Many projects actually fall within Permitted Development (PD) rights, meaning they can be lawfully carried out without a formal planning application provided they adhere to strict national criteria.
Permitted Development rights are granted under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 and commonly cover single-storey rear extensions, loft conversions, porches, and outbuildings. However, these rights are subject to stringent limitations regarding height, depth, roof volume, and location – particularly in conservation areas or on listed buildings where PD rights may be restricted or overridden entirely. Misinterpreting these complex rules can easily lead to costly redesigns, future conveyancing issues, or even formal planning enforcement action.
At CharterHouse Surveyors & Engineers, our expert team provides clear, reliable guidance on your Permitted Development rights and prepares Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) applications to formally verify that your proposal is compliant. An LDC is a formal legal document issued by your local planning authority that definitively confirms your existing or proposed development is completely lawful under planning legislation.
By combining the expertise of our Chartered Architectural Technologists, Chartered Building Engineers, and Surveyors, we guarantee that your proposals are not only compliant with planning policy but are also structurally and practically achievable. Ultimately, we ensure your project is correctly assessed and professionally documented, providing you with absolute clarity and legal protection before you begin to build.
Permitted Development Scope:
- Permitted Development allows specific residential projects, such as loft conversions and single-storey rear extensions, to proceed without a full planning application if they meet strict national criteria
- Lawful Development Certificates: a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is a formal legal document issued by the local planning authority that definitively confirms a proposed or existing development is legally compliant.
- Proposed vs Existing LDCs: clients can apply for a Proposed LDC before construction begins for absolute certainty, or an Existing LDC to regularise works that have already been completed without prior planning permission.
- Protection & Conveyancing: securing an LDC provides vital protection against future planning enforcement action and is frequently requested by mortgage lenders and solicitors to facilitate smooth property sales and funding.
- Multidisciplinary Expertise: submissions are led by Chartered Architectural Technologists and expertly supported by Surveyors and Engineers, ensuring all designs are both policy-compliant and physically buildable.
- Navigating Strict Limitations: the team meticulously assesses site-specific constraints, actively navigating stringent limitations such as maximum extension depths, roof volume limits, and Article 2(3) Conservation Area restrictions.
- Comprehensive Service: CharterHouse provides an end-to-end service that includes reviewing constraints, preparing highly accurate architectural drawings, submitting the application, and responding directly to planning authority queries.
Services Provided to the Client
- Comprehensive Level 3 Building (Structural) Survey, including a Drone Survey.
- Verbal feedback on the day of the inspection.
- Addressed specific areas of concern.
- Additional advice regarding proposed alterations and renovation works.
- Recommended local contractors.
Notable Findings and Issues
The survey revealed major issues such as external repairs, damp problems, outdated services, fire safety concerns, and energy efficiency. The 90+ page report included a four-page priority defect list, surveyor's opinion and inspection images. The client was very satisfied and used the report to make an informed purchase decision and renegotiate the price.
Clients Comments
“Very impressed with Charterhouse Surveyors. Jake did a building survey for us and it was so comprehensive with many images also taken with a drone. It will act as a very useful comprehensive schedule of works for us going forward. After the survey we could speak with Jake to get some immediate feedback and following the survey, we were able to ask any further questions we had. Jake was very knowledgeable and helpful. We will certainly be using Charterhouse Surveyors & Engineers for any future calculations we may need and we recommend them most highly”.