Going through (layout) changes.
Changing the layout of your house is a task many dream about, but don’t always take on.
Apart from the mess, dust and general chaos building work creates, confusion around planning permission and what you can and can’t do in a home can put people off.
The good news is, unless the building is listed, you won’t need planning permission for internal changes.
However, you will need some building regulation approval, depending on the kind of work you’re carrying out.
Here are some of the regulators and regulations you might need:
- Structural engineer, architect or building surveyor – for the removal of load bearing walls
- Party wall surveyor – if any new beams load onto a neighbours wall.
- Calculations for heat loss – if you’re removing the wall between the house and a conservatory.
- Drainage approval – if any drains are being altered.
Before starting works such as removing internal walls or altering drains, you need to contact your local building control officer before getting to work.
Can you change the internal layout after planning permission?
On the whole, internal changes don’t require planning permission. Unless your building is listed, you can alter plans internally without planning permission.
Can you change the facade of a house?
You’re allowed to make lots of different alterations to the outside of your house, however, you’d need to seek advice if you live in a conservation area or in a listed building before making any changes.
What is considered changing the structure of a house?
- Converting a loft
- Converting a basement
- Specially adapted kitchen unit and worktop installations
- Creating a ramp
- Widening doorways
- Changes to layout
- Converting two rooms into one
- Creating open plan living
- Anything that requires planning permission
Do you have to follow building plans exactly?
Building differently to your approved planning permission could leave you at risk of enforcement action from the local planning authority.
Read more: I hate my house, but I can’t afford to move.
To summarise: can you change the layout of your house without planning permission?
Unless your building is listed, you can change the layout of your house without planning permission, however, depending on the nature of the work, you may need building regulations.