Free download · 2026 edition

Do you need planning permission? Find out in 10 minutes.

The St Helens Homeowner's Guide to Permitted Development. A plain-English guide to what you can build without planning, from the team that builds garden rooms, garage conversions and extensions across the borough.

What's your first name?Where should we send the guide?Property postcode (the first half is fine, e.g. WA11)What are you thinking of building?When are you hoping to start?I'd like a free, no-obligation site visit (we'll call you)Best number to reach you (optional)Email me the guide and the occasional tip from Rainford Buildings. I can unsubscribe at any time.

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Written by Mark from Rainford Buildings. We design and build garden rooms, garage conversions and home renovations from our base in Rainford. Read our Google reviews.

Cover of The St Helens Homeowner's Guide to Permitted Development

What's inside

Garden rooms and offices: the height and size limits, and the one thing that always needs planning
Garage conversions: when planning applies, and what building control will check
Extensions, porches and lofts: the exact measurements, in one place
Knock throughs: steel calculations, building regs sign-off and party walls
St Helens specifics: conservation areas, Article 4 areas and the newer-estate trap
Building regs: Lawful Development Certificates and what an application costs
A one-page quick reference table

Questions

Is it really free?

Yes. No catch and no obligation.

Is it just for St Helens?

The national rules apply across England, but the local section is written for St Helens borough.

Will someone ring me?

Only if you ask us to. You can tick a box on the form if you'd like a free site visit.