Planning permission 10 January at 10:08AM in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving 3 replies 126 views

goldeng1456

We have recently bought a new house which we are going to renovate. It's 1950s so the kitchen is very small and has a low ceiling so we want to knock through into another room, do I need to get planning permission to knock a wall down?

Section62

goldeng1456 said:

We have recently bought a new house which we are going to renovate. It's 1950s so the kitchen is very small and has a low ceiling so we want to knock through into another room, do I need to get planning permission to knock a wall down?

Unless the building is listed, you don't usually need planning consent to remove an internal wall.  There are exceptions to this - for example removing a wall to combine an integral garage into the house may need planning consent if there are planning conditions requiring the garage to be used for parking.

You do need to make sure the wall is non-structural (which can be more than just having a load on it from above) - and if the wall is structural then you'll need building regulations sign off.  Because buyers (and their solicitors) are becoming more jittery about internal alterations, it would be a  good idea to document the work, even if the wall is non-structural.  Having a written opinion from a structural engineer or surveyor is the type of evidence you may find useful if a future buyer queries the work.  Also take (and keep) photos of the work as it progresses, so these can be shown to a buyer (or building control) if there is any subsequent issue.

grumbler

No, but you need to get the building control involved.

Gavin83

Typically (but not always) planning permission is only required for anything affecting the external aspect of the building. There are exceptions, such as those Section62 listed.

Also as pointed out by grumbler you'll probably need building control involved though. They're two separate things.

Planning permission = Makes sure your house is in keeping with the neighbourhood and doesn't upset your neighbours.
Building control = Makes sure you follow building regs and that whatever work you do is up to standard.