10 Smart design solutions that don’t require planning permission (and might just change your life)
At Saxon Architects, we’re all for bold design — but we’re also strategic.
The UK planning system can be slow, bureaucratic, and lacking in imagination. But there are plenty of ways to improve your home without going anywhere near a planning application.
Here’s our list of 10 design-led, council-free upgrades you can start right now under Permitted Development rules (or smart workarounds) — including all the key parameters you need to know.
1. Back Garden Pods (Outbuildings)
Use it for: Home office, yoga studio, therapy space, creative zone
Permitted under PD if:
Under 2.5m high (if within 2m of boundary)
Single storey
Doesn’t cover more than 50% of your garden
Not for permanent sleeping or independent dwelling use
Our tip: Use it for home office, yoga studio, therapy space, creative zone. Choose natural materials + good insulation. The energy of this space matters.
2. Mobile Homes & Shepherd Huts
Planning not required if:
The unit is mobile (wheeled or capable of being moved)
Used ancillary to the main dwelling
Doesn’t become a separate, independently rented residence
Our tip: Use it for guest space/rental income, temporary housing, amazing therapy or retreat cabins.
3. Class Q Barn Conversions
Permitted under Class Q (England) if:
The building is structurally sound
Was used for agriculture on/before 20 March 2013
Up to 5 dwellings allowed
Must apply for prior approval (not full planning)
Our tip: Use it for residential conversion of existing agricultural barns. We’ll help you navigate the subtle legal details — this one’s gold for developers.
4. Garage Conversions
No planning needed if:
It’s an internal conversion of an existing attached garage
No major external changes are made
Property isn’t listed or in a conservation area
Our tip: Use it for studio flat, playroom, home gym. It’s the fastest way to add usable space + value without changing your footprint.
5. Loft Conversions
Permitted under PD if:
Adds up to 40m³ (terraced) or 50m³ (semi/detached)
Doesn’t exceed highest part of the roof
Materials are similar to existing
No dormers fronting the highway (in most cases)
Our tip: Use it for bedroom, workspace, peaceful retreat. Add rooflights and improve thermal performance. A great winter project.
6. Single Storey Rear Extensions
Permitted under PD if:
Up to 3m deep (terraced/semi) or 4m (detached) — or up to 6m/8m via the Neighbour Consultation Scheme
No more than 4m in height
Not in a conservation area or listed property
Our tip: Use it for open-plan living, kitchen-diner, better flow. A well-designed 3–4m extension can totally transform how your house feels.
7. Internal Layout Redesign
No planning permission required (unless structural walls are removed or you're in a listed building)
Our tip: Use it for optimising flow, creating wellness zones, better space logic. Most UK homes are badly planned. Rethinking layout is often more powerful than extending.
8. Annexes (Granny Pods)
Usually permitted if:
The annex is used by members of the main household
Located within the garden (not separate land)
Not marketed/rented separately
Our tip: Use it for elderly parents, returning adult children, live-in support. We design emotionally supportive spaces — annexes shouldn’t feel like afterthoughts.
9. Landscaping & Outdoor Living
Permitted Development covers:
Most decking (under 300mm high)
Garden structures (with height restrictions)
Pergolas and covered spaces (within scale limits)
Our tip: Use it for garden retreats, outdoor kitchens, pergolas. We design for all seasons — outdoor living can be beautiful, practical, and totally transformative.
10. Wellness or Creative Studios
Often exempt under PD as an outbuilding (see no. 1)
Our tip: Use it for breath-work, painting, nervous system restoration. Let us design a sensory sanctuary — a small space with a big impact on your mental health.
You don’t need planning to create a better life.
And you don’t need permission to take your space seriously.
We design soulful, efficient, emotionally intelligent upgrades for people who want to live better — and we do it fast, beautifully, and (when possible) council-free.
