GPDO Part 1: permitted development for your house

GPDO Part 1 grants planning permission for specified work to qualifying houses and their curtilage in England. It covers extensions, roof alterations, porches, outbuildings, hard surfaces, chimneys and satellite dishes.

“Permitted development” means permission is granted by the rules, provided every relevant limit and condition is met. It does not mean there are no planning rules. Use the guide for your particular work, then check the house and its planning history.

Start with the work you want to do

Planning an extension? Choose the detailed guide

• The complete Class A checklist
• Rear extensions and stepped original rear walls
• Side extensions, outriggers and wraparound width
• Larger rear extensions: the 6 m and 8 m route
• Windows, doors and other Class A alterations
• Wraparound extension and outrigger rules
• Two storey extension
• Extension measurement guide

A rear extension can also extend beyond an original side wall, especially beside an outrigger. Meeting a rear-depth allowance does not remove the side-width restriction. Existing extensions which join the proposal may have to be assessed with it.

Check these points before relying on Part 1

1. Is it a qualifying house? Part 1 excludes flats and buildings containing flats; use-class labels alone do not settle every dwellinghouse question
2. How was it created? Each class excludes specified change-of-use conversions, and there are restrictions on houses built under Part 20
3. Is the existing building and use lawful? Article 3 contains restrictions concerning unlawful existing development
4. Have rights been removed? Read relevant planning conditions and any Article 4 direction affecting the site and proposed work
5. Is the land protected? Each class has its own rules for conservation areas and other article 2(3) land; some also have SSSI restrictions
6. Are listed-building controls relevant? Class E excludes listed-building curtilage, while other work may require separate listed building consent
7. Have you measured from the right reference point? Original and existing walls, roofs and footprints are different
8. Does the proposal need more than one class? An extension, dormer, rooflight and chimney can involve separate rights

The common Part 3 exclusion in Classes A and B to H is permission to use the house as a house arising only through Classes G, M, MA, N, P, PA or Q. Class AA also names Class O. Some are historic routes, but remain relevant to houses created under them. Check the exact class rather than assuming every converted house is treated identically.

Does the council need to approve anything first?

• Ordinary Class A work and Classes B to H: no prior approval procedure within those rights, provided the proposal genuinely meets them
• Larger Class A rear extensions: the specified neighbour-consultation and prior approval procedure must be followed before starting
• Class AA additional storeys: written prior approval must be received before starting

A certificate of lawfulness for proposed development can formally establish that a proposal is lawful. It does not waive a failed limit or replace a required prior approval.

What else needs checking?

Planning permission is separate from Building Regulations, party-wall requirements, private covenants, ownership and access rights. Article 3 also limits certain access works involving trunk or classified roads and dangerous highway visibility obstructions. The GPDO is subject to relevant environmental and habitats controls.

Other household projects sit elsewhere in the GPDO. See Part 2 for matters such as gates, fences and certain accesses, and Part 14 for domestic renewable-energy equipment. Part 1 does not grant a general permission to change the use of land or create a separate dwelling.

Sources

This guide uses the current consolidated Part 1, article 2 and article 3. The government householder technical guidance helps explain the measurements, but must be read alongside subsequent amendments.

Page Updated: 25th September 2026