Planning Rules
National Parks have some of the strongest landscape protections in England. The permitted development rules are more restrictive than most of the country — here’s what you can and can’t do without planning permission.
⏱ 6 min read📅 Updated June 2025🏠 England only
Quick Answer
Side extensions, cladding and the larger home extension scheme don’t apply
National Parks carry the same GPDO 2015 restrictions as AONBs and conservation areas — side extensions require planning permission, exterior cladding requires planning permission, and the larger home extension Prior Approval scheme doesn’t apply. Additionally, most National Parks have Article 4 Directions removing further PD rights, which vary by National Park. The planning authority for National Parks is the National Park Authority, not the district council.
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
⚠️ Each National Park Authority has its own Article 4 Directions The Article 4 Directions vary significantly between National Parks — and between different settlements within the same National Park. The Yorkshire Dales NPA has different Article 4 Directions to the New Forest NPA. Always check with the specific National Park Authority for your area.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an extension in a National Park without planning permission?
Possibly — rear extensions within the normal permitted development size limits (up to 4m deep for detached houses, 3m for semi-detached and terraced) are still permitted development in National Parks, unless an Article 4 Direction has removed this right. Side extensions require planning permission in all National Parks. Check with the relevant National Park Authority whether any Article 4 Directions apply to your property, as these vary significantly between different National Parks.
Who is the planning authority in a National Park?
The National Park Authority (NPA) is the local planning authority for development within the National Park boundary. You submit planning applications to the NPA, not the district council. Each NPA has its own Local Plan, planning policies, and pre-application advice service. The district council has no planning jurisdiction within the National Park area.
Are National Park planning rules stricter than outside?
Yes — in general, National Park planning policies give greater weight to landscape character protection than the NPPF baseline requires. NPAs have a statutory duty to conserve and enhance natural beauty and can give this very high weight in decision-making. They also typically have more restrictive Article 4 Directions removing PD rights. In practice, applications for extensions, outbuildings, and other works are often assessed more strictly than in equivalent areas outside the National Park.
Can I install solar panels on a National Park house?
Solar panels are permitted development in National Parks subject to the standard restrictions — they cannot be on a wall or roof slope facing a highway, and must not be higher than the highest part of the roof (excluding the chimney). Some National Park Authorities have Article 4 Directions that require planning permission for solar panels. Planning applications for solar panels in National Parks are often assessed carefully because of the visual impact on the landscape.
More on Permitted Development Rights
Extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings, solar panels — our complete guide covers everything you can build without planning permission.
Read the Complete PD Guide →
