Professional, builder-ready drawing packages for extensions, lofts, porches, garages, garden rooms and more — designed to Permitted Development parameters and supplied as sold.
PERMITTED HOMEOWNER GUIDES
Our illustrated, practical guides help you understand the rules, explore design options and budget with confidence — before you commit to building work.
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Rules, design options, costs and next steps.
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Rules, design options, costs and next steps.
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Rules, design options, costs and next steps.
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Rules, design options, costs and next steps.
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Rules, design options, costs and next steps.
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Rules, design options, costs and next steps.
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Rules, design options, costs and next steps.
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Rules, design options, costs and next steps.
View guidePermeable paving in your front garden is permitted development — no planning permission needed. Here’s what counts as permeable, which products qualify, and what the drainage rules mean in practice.
No. Permeable paving in the front garden is permitted development under Part 1 Class F of the GPDO 2015. You do not need to apply for planning permission as long as the surface allows water to drain through it (or directs run-off to a lawn or border within your property).
Permeable paving: no planning permission. Non-permeable paving over 5m² in front garden: planning permission required. Permeable paving in rear garden: no planning permission regardless.
A permeable surface allows rainwater to pass through it and soak into the ground below. An alternative is one that channels run-off to a permeable area within your property — such as a lawn, flower border, or soakaway.
| Surface Type | Permeable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Loose gravel / shingle | ✅ Yes | Classic, low-cost, reliably permeable. |
| Permeable block paving (open jointed) | ✅ Yes | Blocks with gaps filled with gravel. |
| Resin-bound gravel | ✅ Yes | Porous surface, smooth finish, very popular. |
| Grass reinforcement mesh | ✅ Yes | Plastic grid filled with grass or gravel. |
| Porous asphalt / concrete | ✅ Yes | Specially formulated. Less common but effective. |
| Standard block paving (filled joints) | ❌ No | Joints filled with sand/mortar make it impermeable. |
| Standard tarmac / asphalt | ❌ No | Impermeable unless porous variant specified. |
| Standard concrete | ❌ No | Impermeable unless porous variant specified. |
| Resin-bonded gravel | ❌ No | Surface chips on non-porous resin base — impermeable. |
Resin-bound: aggregate fully coated in resin, porous matrix, water passes through. Permitted development. Resin-bonded: aggregate chips on non-porous resin base, water runs off. Not permitted development over 5m² in front garden.
Building regulations do not generally apply to simple driveway paving. If you are installing a new drainage connection to the sewer, building regulations may apply. Check with your local building control office if in doubt.
| Surface Type | Cost per m² |
|---|---|
| Loose gravel | £15 – £40 |
| Permeable block paving | £60 – £100 |
| Resin-bound gravel | £50 – £120 |
| Grass reinforcement mesh | £20 – £50 |
| Porous asphalt | £40 – £80 |
Extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings, solar panels — our complete guide covers everything you can build without planning permission.
Planning a project? Browse our permitted development drawing sets — fixed price, supplied exactly as sold and emailed to you as a PDF.
Each one is already drawn. You choose the material, roof and options we actually draw, and that is the package you receive.
A practical entrance area that adds space and improves the look of your home.
£350
A popular way to create a larger kitchen, dining or family area.
£900
Adds valuable space to the side of your home for a kitchen or utility.
£900
Turns unused loft space into a bedroom, office or additional living area.
£1,500
A flexible, detached space for work, leisure or extra living space.
£350
Secure parking or useful storage, single or double.
£350
Significantly more living space across both floors.
£1,400
A bright, glazed room connecting your home to the garden.
£900PERMITTED HOMEOWNER GUIDES
Our illustrated, practical guides help you understand the rules, explore design options and budget with confidence — before you commit to building work.
Explore all guidesRules, design options, costs and next steps.
View guideRules, design options, costs and next steps.
View guideRules, design options, costs and next steps.
View guideRules, design options, costs and next steps.
View guideRules, design options, costs and next steps.
View guideRules, design options, costs and next steps.
View guideRules, design options, costs and next steps.
View guideRules, design options, costs and next steps.
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Maximize your property’s footprint with precision and ease. Permitted provides complete design for Permitted Development Rights. Our packages are designed around the Permitted Development limits, so many projects can proceed without a full planning application.
PERMITTED is operated by Yorkshire Property Design Services Limited, registered in England and Wales under company number 12698267.
Registered office: Ground Floor, Techno Centre, Station Road, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 5BJ
Business contact address: Wira House, Ground Floor, Suite 5, Ring Road, West Park, Leeds, LS16 6EB
