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  1. Welcome to Planning Portal
  2. Do you need permission?
  3. Common projects
  4. External walls
  5. Planning Permission

External walls

Select...
  1. Planning Permission
  2. Is building regulations approval needed for work to external walls?
  3. Building Regulations: Decoration and renovation
  4. Building Regulations: Fire Protection
  5. Building Regulations: Thermal resistance and changes to 'thermal elements'
  6. Building Regulations: Weather Resistance
  7. Building Regulations: Weight (Loading)
  8. Case Study
  9. Getting your job done safely
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Planning Permission

You do not need to apply for planning permission for repairs, maintenance or minor improvements, such as painting your house.

If you live in a listed building, you will need listed building consent for any significant works whether internal or external.

If you live in a Conservation Area, a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the Broads, you will need to apply for planning permission before cladding the outside of your house with stone, artificial stone, pebble dash, render, timber, plastic or tiles.

Outside these areas, cladding may be carried out without having to first apply for planning permission provided the materials are of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the house.

You can contact your Local Planning Authority for further advice. Use our Local Authority search tool to find their contact details.

Find your local planning authority (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/find-your-local-planning-authority)

Find your local planning authority


Cladding

Cladding is a material or layer applied to the external walls of a building. The primary functions of cladding are to provide insulation, aesthetic changes, and protection for the existing walls.

The material cladding is manufactured from will impact their appearance and efficiency. Some cladding such as uPVC and vinyl will provide more insulation than timber cladding.

The level of care and maintenance required will vary based on the material. Brick and cement cladding will need very little maintenance, while wooden and weatherboard finishes may need regular cleaning and treating.

Cladding does provide added protection to exterior walls, however, it is not recommended to apply cladding to structurally unsound walls which cannot be repaired.

Find a Trade Professional

Use our partner directories to find a planning or building professional to help with your project or development.

Find a professional (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/find-a-trade-professional)

Find a professional


Useful links

Make an application (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/app/applications)

Make an application

Speak to an expert (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/planning-guidance-service)

Speak to an expert

Studio Charrette consultancy calculator (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/home-improvement/planning-consultancy-calculator)

Studio Charrette consultancy calculator

Sell your site with Land Match (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/commercial-developments/sell-your-site)

Sell your site with Land Match


      Disclaimer

      This is an introductory guide and is not a definitive source of legal information. Guidance is based on national rules, but additional local rules may also affect what permissions are needed. You should check if this is the case before applying or starting work.
      Guidance here relates to the planning regime for England, the policy in Wales may differ. If in doubt contact your local planning authority. Please note, local authorities may charge a fee for pre-application advice.
      Read our full disclaimer.


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          The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2025 Planning Portal.

          The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2025 Planning Portal.