..to think it's mad you can just build an extension without notifying the council?

[Thebiggerthecoffeethebetter]

...if I have understood permitted development rights correctly....

you can just have a builder start building an extension.. (with relevant sign off by the building control people at all the stages obviously).

It seems mental doesn't it...but this is how I am understanding all the reading I'm doing. That LDCs are not mandatory but you can have one if you want. I would phone the council but they have suspended all phone advice because of COVID.

Has anyone here built their extension (conforming to permitted development) and gone ahead without getting one of those LDCs? There must be loads of you...?!

We recently converted our garage into another room, replacing the garage door with a window, knocking an internal door through from the passage, adding a roof etc. It was all within permitted development and the builder just went ahead and did everything, we didn’t have to do a thing.

What worries me more is the botched DIY jobs people do in and around their homes.... then sell up leaving new owners with the outcome

Forgot to add - permitted development is categories of things that Central Government have decided do not need an applicant to submit a planning application for, provided that applicant sticks to the dimensions and criteria specified in the Permitted Development Order. These are supposed to be minor additions or uses that are considered to be inoffensive to the public… note ‘supposed’…

I think I just asked them informally then got an agreement via email. It's mainly to cover your arse. It's been a few years though.

I also drew up the plans and elevation myself which does provide some security as the builders have something to stick to.