Planning Permission in Cardiff: A Homeowner's Guide

Wales has administered planning under its own legislation, separate from England, since the Planning (Wales) Act 2015 - Cardiff Council applies these rules locally, and specific permitted development limits differ from England's, so an England-focused guide won't reliably apply. This is general information, not planning advice for your specific property.

What's usually permitted development in Cardiff

• A single-storey rear extension within Wales' own size limits
• A rear-facing loft dormer within a set roof volume, not visible from the principal road
• Most internal alterations that don't affect structural walls

Where conservation status changes things

Pontcanna's conservation area and the streets around Llandaff Cathedral typically face tighter restrictions on visible alterations than the standard Victorian terraces elsewhere in the city.

Getting it right

A builder who works regularly in your specific part of Cardiff will usually already know whether your street sits inside a conservation area and roughly what Cardiff Council will accept.