How much does prior approval cost?

The council fee is much lower than a householder planning application — check your council's current fee on the Planning Portal.

Can my neighbour stop a prior approval extension?

They can object, and the council can refuse if it judges the harm to their amenity unacceptable. An objection alone isn't a veto.

Prior approval for a larger home extension (6 m and 8 m)

Prior approvalfor larger extensions

The short answer

Prior approval lets you build a single-storey rear extension up to 6 m deep on a semi or terrace, or 8 m on a detached house, by notifying the council first. Neighbours are consulted; the council can only refuse on the impact on their amenity, and must decide within 42 days.

Updated Sep 2026GPDO 2015, Schedule 2, Part 1, Class A (A.4)England only

How it works

You send the council a description, a plan with the depth, height and eaves height, and your neighbours' addresses.
The council notifies the adjoining neighbours and gives them 21 days to comment.
If nobody objects, the council must give approval.
If someone objects, the council considers only the effect on neighbours' amenity — light, outlook, privacy.
If the council hasn't decided within 42 days, you can go ahead.

Where you can't use it

Not in conservation areas, National Parks, National Landscapes, the Broads or World Heritage Sites; not on listed buildings; not for extensions of more than one storey; and not where permitted development rights have been removed by an Article 4 direction or a planning condition.

Your exact limits

House type, plot size, Article 4 and trees — worked out for your address.

£14.99one-off

Get my report

After approval

Build what was approved — prior approval is for the plans submitted, not any extension up to 6 m — and tell the council in writing when it's finished. Building regulations approval is still needed separately.

Projects this affects

Rear extension →All projects →

Common questions

How much does prior approval cost?: The council fee is much lower than a householder planning application — check your council's current fee on the Planning Portal.
Can my neighbour stop a prior approval extension?: They can object, and the council can refuse if it judges the harm to their amenity unacceptable. An objection alone isn't a veto.