In the present day that we live in we have to pay up to £1,000 and include all the drawings showing our plans to be able to get the planning permission needed for even minor alterations, which take can take between eight to 16 weeks to get processed. Planning permission is even needed for the smallest of changes such as the installation of solar panels, a satellite dish, loft conversions and porches as well as extensions to the side and back of the property. Authorities currently process up to 350,000 planning applications a year, of which more than 90% are granted immediately as long as there is no damaging impact to neighbours property.

You need to apply for planning permission to extend or add to your house in the following circumstances. • If you want to build an addition which would be nearer to any road than the nearest part of the “original house”, unless there would be at least 20 metres between your house (as extended) and the road. This includes all public roads and footpaths. (There are special rules for porches). • More than half the area of land around the “original house” would be covered by additions or other buildings. The term ‘original house’ means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you may not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so. You will also need to apply for planning permission if the extension or addition exceeds certain limits on height or volume.