Permitted Development Approvals in the Green Belt
Securing planning approval for residential extensions in the Green Belt can often be challenging, with national policy placing strict limitations on development. However, permitted development (PD) rights offer a valuable route for homeowners looking to sensitively expand their homes without engaging the full rigour of a planning application.
We recently secured two separate approvals for a rural property in Essex’s Green Belt, allowing substantial enlargement through lawful development mechanisms—demonstrating just how powerful permitted development rights can be, even in tightly controlled planning areas.
Two Applications, One Cohesive Strategy
The project involved:
1. Certificate of Lawfulness for Proposed Side Extensions and Replacement Garage
We successfully established that significant additions to the side of the property, along with a new garage, were lawful under permitted development. This added:
90 sqm of floor space through side extensions
A new garage of 45 sqm, replacing a smaller structure
An increase of nearly 100% in ground floor area over the original floor area
The garage, a key element, was assessed under Class E of the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO). The Council accepted it as being reasonably and genuinely required for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling—namely, the covered parking of vehicles. While its size was notable, it was not excessive in the context of the enlarged dwelling and its intended use.
This approval drew on well-established case law, which confirms that a building’s size is only one factor in determining whether it is “incidental.” The purpose and functional relationship to the dwelling remain critical.
2. Prior Approval for a Large Rear Extension
A further application under the larger home extension provisions of the GPDO allowed a 90 sqm rear extension to proceed following neighbour consultation.
Taken together with the side extensions, this resulted in:
A 200% increase in ground floor area relative to the original dwelling
All without requiring a full planning application
Permitted Development in the Green Belt: A Powerful Tool
Under Paragraph 154(c) of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), extensions to buildings in the Green Belt are only acceptable if they do not result in disproportionate additions. This can make traditional planning applications for substantial extensions very difficult to justify.
However, permitted development rights override Green Belt policy in this regard, provided the development meets the criteria set out in the General Permitted Development Order. These rights apply across the country, including within Green Belts, and offer homeowners a significant advantage when properly understood and applied.
Key Benefits of Using Permitted Development in the Green Belt
Avoids complex Green Belt policy hurdles
Streamlined approval routes, often quicker than planning applications
No need to demonstrate ‘very special circumstances’
Can deliver meaningful extensions that would not be achievable through a full application
Thinking of Extending in the Green Belt? Let’s Talk.
If you own a property in the Green Belt and are considering extending, you may have more options than you think. Our recent success in rural Essex shows that with the right advice, it’s possible to significantly enlarge your home using permitted development rights—without falling foul of strict Green Belt policies.
Contact us today to explore how permitted development could work for your property.
