Changing your property is a potentially rewarding experience, one capable of enhancing the value and your returns. What you might not know however is that there are numerous rules you must follow. You have to be certain that your changes are ones you can legally make. There could be substantial penalties if you don’t check and get permission when necessary. Thankfully, the Finefair Ltd team is here to provide advice. We have plenty of experience working with property owners. We can give you some key details about the permitted developments Kingston upon Thames allows.

What is the significance of PDRs?

When someone tries to change their property, they need planning permission in many cases. Yet, there will be times where this won’t be the case due to permitted development rights. The PDRs are pieces of government legislation. Their purpose is to give people more freedom to make changes to properties in specific circumstances. For instance, in some places, you can add on an extension without requiring permission. This is because it won’t affect the environment or neighbours.

If you have plans to change your property, we advise to begin by looking at the available PDRs. They may be able to save you a fair amount of money, time, and effort on projects. However, you must proceed carefully and examine the area’s specific rules. Local authorities can change the PDRs and even use Article 4 Directions to withdraw them. There can even be instances where it is unclear whether your project shall be a permitted development. You would be best off talking to your local authority here.

There are other protections in place

There is more than just the Article 4 Directions standing in your way here though. Tree preservation orders (TPOs) and conservation areas can also limit the permitted developments Kingston upon Thames allows. Such policies exist to secure the biodiversity and heritage of the area.

Kingston upon Thames has 26 conservation areas. They have their own management plans and rules in place to preserve them. Due to this, you will typically need planning permission to change the property in any way. The local planning authority will likely want to check your proposal to make sure it holds with the area.

Furthermore, you are restricted with what you can do with a structure if it has a local or statutory listing preserving it. You will probably need planning permission here too, especially for demolition or extension projects.

TPOs and rules to safeguard the biodiversity of your borough limit what you are free to do with some buildings too. Planning permission will be necessary for projects that will affect certain habitats and trees. There may even be rules if an existing property is used for nesting wildlife.

Let us help you with permitted developments in Kingston upon Thames

Finefair Ltd knows that changing different things on a property can add significant value. This is most certainly true in London where there is a lack of free space. We have the skills to assist clients with these sorts of projects. It could be a change of use, extension, or HMO conversion.

We will offer you support as you go over the permitted developments Kingston upon Thames has available. Expect to find some excellent opportunities if you look at your property and consider what you can do with it. Should you choose to progress with your plans, you can come to us for help.

So, feel free to get in touch if you would like to discuss anything with us.