New Build Restrictions: What You Can and Can’t Do in UK Construction

When you’re planning a new home in the UK, new build restrictions, rules set by local councils and national planning laws that control how, where, and what you can build. Also known as planning permissions, these limits aren’t just red tape—they shape everything from your driveway width to your roof pitch. Many people assume building a house from scratch means total freedom. But in reality, you’re working inside a tight framework designed to protect neighborhoods, preserve green space, and ensure safety. These rules aren’t the same everywhere. A build in rural Devon faces different rules than one in suburban Manchester, and both are tighter than what you’d find in some other countries.

One major thing you’ll run into is UK building regulations, the technical standards that cover structural safety, insulation, drainage, and fire protection. These are non-negotiable. You can’t skip them just because you want a bigger window or a cheaper roof. Then there’s planning permission, the green light you need before you even dig a hole. This decides if your house fits the area’s character—like whether you can build a modern glass box next to a 1920s terraced street. Some areas have strict height limits, others ban certain materials, and a few won’t allow new builds on certain plots at all, even if you own the land.

These restrictions don’t just affect big developers—they hit homeowners too. If you’re thinking of extending your garden with a new detached garage or converting a barn into a home, you’re still under the same rules. You might not realize it, but your choice of windows, the color of your bricks, or even the type of driveway surface can be regulated. And it’s not just about looks. Drainage, access for emergency vehicles, and light to neighboring properties all matter. The government doesn’t make these rules to be annoying. They’re there because poorly planned builds lead to overcrowding, flooding, and neighborhoods that feel unnatural or unsafe.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real examples of how these rules play out. Some guides break down what’s allowed in different parts of the UK. Others show how to avoid common mistakes that delay approvals. You’ll see how builders work around height limits, what materials are approved in conservation areas, and why some new builds get turned down even when they look fine on paper. There’s no magic trick to bypassing these restrictions—but there are smart ways to work within them. Whether you’re building your first home or helping someone else navigate the system, the goal is the same: get it right the first time, without costly surprises.