Permitted development in Ashford
Many home extensions across Ashford — Ashford, Tenterden, Charing and Wye and the surrounding area — are "permitted development" and don't need a planning application, as long as they stay inside the GPDO 2015 limits. But those rights are reduced or removed by a conservation area, an Article 4 direction, or being in Kent Downs National Landscape (AONB, covering part of the borough). Buildwise reads your postcode, flags the constraints that apply in Ashford, and tells you where you stand — free.
Lawful in Ashford — and provable
If your project is permitted development, a Lawful Development Certificate is a formal Ashford confirmation that it's lawful — invaluable when you sell, and proof if a neighbour ever questions it. If you need Prior Approval (like a larger rear extension) Buildwise produces the right statement for that instead. Where a full application is needed, it engages Ashford's adopted policies (SP1 (Strategic Objectives), SP6 (Promoting High Quality Design)) directly.
- Ashford Local Plan 2030 (adopted February 2019)
How it works
Postcode + project type; Ashford constraints detected automatically.
Sizes, heights and boundaries — a few minutes.
Permitted → LDC statement; needs prior approval or permission → the right document for that.
Example (excerpt)
"The single-storey rear extension does not exceed the depth, height and eaves limits of Class A of the GPDO 2015, and the site lies outside any Article 4 direction. The proposal is therefore lawful development, for which a certificate is sought under s.192 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990…"
Frequently asked questions
Run Buildwise's free permitted-development check for your Ashford postcode. It tests your project against the GPDO 2015 limits and flags local constraints — conservation areas, Article 4 directions and the Kent Downs National Landscape (AONB, covering part of the borough) — that can remove permitted-development rights.
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is a formal confirmation from Ashford that your work is lawful permitted development. It isn't compulsory, but it's strongly recommended — especially before selling. Buildwise generates the supporting statement.
Larger rear extensions and some other classes need a prior-approval notification rather than a full application. Buildwise detects this and produces the right supporting statement.
Yes — the permitted development check is always free, for everyone, and no card is needed. If you go on to generate a Planning Statement, LDC or Prior Approval statement, those are £95 each.
Check your Ashford project free — no card needed.
The Permitted Development check is free — no card needed. Planning documents are £95 each, with your practice’s logo on every one.
Get started free →