Quick Answer

What Is a National Park?

England has 10 National Parks: Dartmoor, Exmoor, New Forest, South Downs, the Peak District, the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors, Northumberland, and the Broads. The planning authority within each National Park is the National Park Authority (NPA), which acts as the local planning authority for development within its boundaries.

National Parks have a statutory purpose under the Environment Act 1995: to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage of the area, and to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area by the public. These purposes inform the planning policies NPAs apply.

PD Restrictions in National Parks

The GPDO 2015 applies the same baseline restrictions to National Parks as to AONBs:

• Side extensions: Not permitted development — planning permission required
• Exterior cladding: Not permitted development — planning permission required
• Larger Home Extension scheme: Does not apply — the maximum single-storey rear extension remains 4m (detached) or 3m (other houses)
• Side-facing dormers: Not permitted development in National Parks

Beyond these baseline GPDO restrictions, most National Parks have made Article 4 Directions removing additional PD rights. Common Article 4 restrictions in National Parks include:

• All extensions (not just side) requiring planning permission
• New outbuildings requiring planning permission
• Window and door replacements requiring planning permission
• Demolition of outbuildings requiring planning permission

What Is Still Permitted Development

Unless removed by a National Park-specific Article 4 Direction, the following works remain permitted development in National Parks:

• Rear extensions: Up to 4m (detached) or 3m (semi/terraced) single-storey rear extensions — within normal PD limits
• Two-storey rear extensions: Up to 3m deep, subject to conditions
• Loft conversions: Rear dormers within the PD limits (50m³ for detached/semi, 40m³ for terraced)
• Outbuildings: Garden buildings within Part 1 Class E limits — unless removed by Article 4

Applying for Planning Permission

Planning applications within National Parks are determined by the National Park Authority. NPAs apply their own Local Plans, which generally give very high weight to protecting landscape character and avoiding harm to the natural beauty of the area. National Park planning policies are often more restrictive in practice than the NPPF minimum standards.

Pre-application advice from the NPA planning department is strongly recommended for any works that need planning permission in a National Park. NPAs often have design guides specifying preferred materials, forms, and approaches for development within the Park. Working within these guides significantly improves the prospects of approval.