Permitted development in Tunbridge Wells
Many home extensions across Tunbridge Wells — Royal Tunbridge Wells, Southborough, Paddock Wood and Cranbrook 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 High Weald National Landscape (AONB). Buildwise reads your postcode, flags the constraints that apply in Tunbridge Wells, and tells you where you stand — free.
Lawful in Tunbridge Wells — and provable
If your project is permitted development, a Lawful Development Certificate is a formal Tunbridge Wells 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 Tunbridge Wells's adopted policies (STR2 (Place Shaping and Design), EN1 (Sustainable Design)) directly.
- Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan 2020-2038 (adopted December 2025)
How it works
Postcode + project type; Tunbridge Wells 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 Tunbridge Wells postcode. It tests your project against the GPDO 2015 limits and flags local constraints — conservation areas, Article 4 directions and the High Weald National Landscape (AONB) — that can remove permitted-development rights.
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is a formal confirmation from Tunbridge Wells 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. If you go on to generate a DAS or appeal, your first document is free too.
Check your Tunbridge Wells project free — no card needed.
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