Having an understanding of what is likely to be achievable on a development site is a hugely valuable skill. It enables you to see the potential in a property, where maybe others can't, because they don't know the rules which apply. Now I'm not suggesting that every property developer must become a planning expert, as that's what our planning consultants are for, but like anything in life, the more knowledge you have the more successful you are likely to become at spotting an opportunity that may be staring you in the face.

Everyone knows that you can renovate a property, keeping within the bounds of the existing structure and of course you can apply for planning permission to alter or extend it. You can even demolish it and start again if it's a financially viable proposition. Less well known is what you are permitted to do with a property, without the need to undertake a full planning application. This is particularly pertinent now, as changes to permitted development rights recently came into force on 31st May 2013.

While planning regulations can be a bit dry and boring, some of the changes do present real opportunities for the developer, so I apologise in advance...but what follows really is worth reading.

Below is a summary of just some of the key changes to Permitted Development Rights - The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2013 - This Order amends parts of and adds to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 Principal Changes. Please note, this is a summary of just some of the points that I felt were the most important, do refer to statutory instrument for full extend of the policy and exact wording and criteria.