South East
Planning permission in Buckinghamshire.
A 60-second guide to extensions, loft conversions, and Permitted Development in Buckinghamshire — plus a free AI check tailored to your project below.
Do you need planning permission in Buckinghamshire?
Most householder extensions in England fall under Permitted Developmentrights set out in the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) 2015 — meaning you don't need full planning permission, provided you stay within the limits.
- · Single-storey rear extensions: up to 3m deep on terraced or semi-detached, 4m on detached, eaves under 3m. Above that, the Larger Home Extension prior approval route covers up to 6m and 8m respectively.
- · Two-storey rear extensions: up to 3m deep, must be at least 7m from the rear boundary, no balconies or raised platforms.
- · Loft conversions: up to 40m³ on terraced houses, 50m³ on detached/semi, no extensions beyond the original front roof slope facing a highway.
- · Outbuildings: must be single-storey, eaves under 2.5m, ridge under 4m (dual pitch) or 3m (other), within the curtilage of the dwelling and not used as a separate residence.
Buckinghamshire council fees
England-wide statutory fees from the December 2023 fee schedule [G].
Lawful Development Certificate (existing or proposed)
£129
Half the householder fee. Confirms PD status.
Larger Home Extension prior approval
£120
3-6m rear, terrace/semi. 21-day notification.
Householder planning application
£258
Standard route. 8-week determination.
Common rejection reasons in Buckinghamshire
Up to 45% of UK applications [A] get bounced before any officer reads them. Across all councils the most common bounces are:
- Missing location plan with a red line outlining the site.
- Existing and proposed elevations not on the same scale.
- Floor plan dimensions inconsistent with elevations.
- No Heritage Statement when the site is in a Conservation Area or near a Listed Building.
- Wrong fee — most rose by ~25% in December 2023.
The full applywell analysis catches every one of these before you submit. Sign in for your first analysis free.
Run a full analysis →Frequently asked questions about Buckinghamshire
How long do Buckinghamshire planning applications take?▾
Statutory determination is 8 weeks for householder applications and 13 weeks for major schemes. Buckinghamshire can request an extension of time — check the application page on the council portal for the agreed determination date.
Does Buckinghamshire use a Local Validation List?▾
Yes. Every UK council publishes a Local Validation List on top of the national one. Applications missing items from this list are rejected as invalid before review. The applywell analysis cross-checks your drawings against Buckinghamshire's validation requirements.
Can I appeal a Buckinghamshire decision?▾
Yes. Householder appeals must be lodged within 12 weeks of the decision through the Planning Inspectorate. Around 25% of householder appeals succeed. The applywell decision parser extracts every refusal reason verbatim so you can see exactly what to address.
What's the difference between Permitted Development and full planning?▾
Permitted Development means you don't need to apply for full planning permission — but you might still want a Lawful Development Certificate (~£129) as proof for future buyers. Full planning is needed when you exceed PD limits, are in restricted designations, or build something not covered by the GPDO.
Do I still need Building Regulations approval?▾
Yes. Building Regulations are separate from planning — required for almost all building work regardless of whether you need planning permission. Approve via Full Plans (drawings reviewed up front) or Building Notice (inspections during construction).
Try a council near Buckinghamshire: