Stylish, design-led cladding adds a unique, attractive aesthetic feature to any property. The question is: can I crack on straight away, or do I need to seek planning permission?

If you’re considering some exterior cladding for your home, it might’ve crossed your mind. Here’s the ins and outs of cladding and planning permission in the UK.

Do I need planning permission for external wood cladding on my house?

As a rule, no you do not. The addition of exterior cladding usually falls under what are called ‘permitted development rights’, meaning you do not need to seek planning permission as the property owner.

In the UK, most people find that exterior cladding jobs are classed as ‘repairs, maintenance or minor improvements’. As long as the ‘materials are of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the house’ — usually the case with timber cladding — planning permission isn’t needed.

Modern two-story home with a stone base and light wood siding, large windows, and a curved driveway, set among a green lawn and shrubs under a blue sky.

Modern wood-and-stone residence with a stone foundation, expansive glass doors, and a curved gravel path through a landscaped garden framed by trees at dusk.

In some instances, however, you will need to seek planning permission. If your property is on protected land — for example in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), a National Park, a Conservation Area or it is a listed building — you will require a planning application before proceeding with an exterior cladding project.

So, in the majority of cases, you’re good to go. In any case, it’s worth contacting your local planning authority (LPA) before starting your project. You can discover your area’s LPA through the Planning Portal, an organisation related to the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The Planning Portal also contains more information about exterior walls and planning permission. For a more detailed rundown of which types of work amount to ‘development’, and therefore require planning permission, take a look at the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Modern house with a central wooden facade and white sides, blue front door, trimmed shrubs, and a dark SUV on a snow-dusted driveway under a blue sky.

Row of modern semi-detached homes with white lower walls and wood-clad upper facades, gray roofs with solar panels; fenced front gardens.

Modern two-story house with white exterior and brown horizontal wood cladding, large sliding glass doors, several windows, gravel path, and a bench.

Modern house with a black slanted roof, timber columns, and glass walls; covered patio with wicker seating, potted plants, and a green lawn.

Got a cladding project in mind?

At Duffield Timber, we’re a leading UK cladding specialist. Whether for a small residential project or for large-scale commercial purposes, we’ve worked on it all.

The cladding we supply is machined to profile from a range of beautiful, durable timber species. We’re here to listen to your bespoke requirements and deliver a tailored cladding solution — down to FSC or PEFC certifications, fire treatments, solid colour coatings or UV protection.

To discuss your project, contact our team today.

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