Guide
Permitted Development: England vs Wales
Permitted Development rules in England and Wales look similar but differ in important places. Using the wrong country's rules can produce the wrong answer for your project.
Different legal frameworks
England operates under the GPDO with Prior Approval routes for larger rear extensions. Wales operates under Planning Policy Wales and Welsh statutory instruments, with different thresholds and no equivalent Prior Approval scheme for larger rear extensions.
Common differences to be aware of
- Maximum rear extension depths differ
- Two-storey extensions have different boundary distance rules in Wales
- Side highway proximity rules are stricter in some Welsh cases
- Council application fees differ between the two countries
How our engine handles this
We detect the country from your postcode and route Welsh projects through a separate Welsh rules engine. Run the free check to see the correct route for your address.