Insights

Do you need planning permission for cladding?

hardieplank cladding walderslade

When thermal insulation, weather resistance and exterior aesthetics are in need of a straightforward upgrade, high-quality external Hardie® Plank cladding expertly offers these benefits (and more) to homeowners across Kent. With this in mind, if this is a route you’re interested in taking its definitely time to address these commonly asked questions:

Does external cladding need planning permission in Kent?

Yes! If your home is located within a Conservation Area, a National Park or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, planning permission is required to apply any form of external cladding.

Yes! If you’re lucky enough to own a listed building, building consent is required to carry out any significant alterations both inside and outside.

No! In England, external cladding can be fitted without the need to apply for planning permission as long as none of the criteria above applies and the materials used are of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the property.

Please be aware that planning policy in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland may differ.

Official External Walls Planning Permission Guidance

I’m not sure if the cladding materials are of a similar appearance to the property

If you’re unsure about anything, before starting any work it’s always best to contact your local planning department and go through your home renovation ideas together. If planning permission is needed, they will be able to advise accordingly.

Kent County Council planning applications

Maidstone Borough Council planning and building

What does external cladding do?

  • Strengthens the properties structure
  • Heightens resistance to cracking or warping
  • Increases thermal efficiency
  • Reduces carbon footprint & energy bills
  • Diminishes water or moisture absorption
  • Lessens damage from direct sunlight and high-winds
  • Protects against air and chemical pollution
  • Minimises external maintenance
  • Can limit the effects of exterior noise
  • Repels pests

Looking for external cladding in Kent?

Find out more about Fibre Cement Hardie® Plank Cladding.

View related Case Studies

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customer review stars
What our customers say about us

Trusted by industry and customers alike, we believe that the quality of our services and workmanship speaks for itself. But don’t take our word for it, take a look at what our customers say...

★★★★★

Very efficient company

Very pleased with the professional manner that Kent Cladding operatives carried out our works. Very little upheaval to us, turned up on time and left the site clean and tidy. Would definitely recommend to a friend
Halstead Sevenoaks, November 2024
★★★★★

Very efficient company

Very pleased with the professional manner that Kent Cladding operatives carried out our works. Very little upheaval to us, turned up on time and left the site clean and tidy. Would definitely recommend to a friend
Very efficient company
Halstead Sevenoaks, November 2024
★★★★★

Storm damage

After being hit for a second time by storm damage I contacted Kent Cladding to see if they could repair my damaged cladding which had been badly installed by a major building company. Richard come to look at the damage and was very helpful with the advice he gave. The job was carried out within a week of his visit and I could not fault Chris and Matt for the courteous and efficient way they carried out the work. I would thoroughly recommend Kent Cladding and have already passed their details to a couple of neighbours.
Kent, January 2025
★★★★★

Storm damage

After being hit for a second time by storm damage I contacted Kent Cladding to see if they could repair my damaged cladding which had been badly installed by a major building company. Richard come to look at the damage and was very helpful with the advice he gave. The job was carried out within a week of his visit and I could not fault Chris and Matt for the courteous and efficient way they carried out the work. I would thoroughly recommend Kent Cladding and have already passed their details to a couple of neighbours.
Storm damage
Kent, January 2025
★★★★★

Exceptional service

Exceptionally pleased with our cladding. All done and fitted within a few weeks of first contact. Completed whilst we were on holiday and pictures and videos sent to us whilst we were away to show us when completed which was great. Went above and beyond and helped to fix some other issues that they found with the house whilst there. Many thanks, highly recommended.
Kent, December 2024
★★★★★

Exceptional service

Exceptionally pleased with our cladding. All done and fitted within a few weeks of first contact. Completed whilst we were on holiday and pictures and videos sent to us whilst we were away to show us when completed which was great. Went above and beyond and helped to fix some other issues that they found with the house whilst there. Many thanks, highly recommended.
Exceptional service
Kent, December 2024
★★★★★

Outbuilding transformation

We chose Kent Cladding Ltd based on its good reviews and weren't disappointed! The whole experience was good from Richard's initial quote to the work being carried out. The guys were great - hard working, polite and helpful and they did an excellent job, completely transforming my dad's outbuilding which he'd built using reclaimed door and windows. We felt the price was fair and competitive. Communication was also first rate. Thoroughly recommend this company.
Mersham Kent, December 2024
★★★★★

Outbuilding transformation

We chose Kent Cladding Ltd based on its good reviews and weren't disappointed! The whole experience was good from Richard's initial quote to the work being carried out. The guys were great - hard working, polite and helpful and they did an excellent job, completely transforming my dad's outbuilding which he'd built using reclaimed door and windows. We felt the price was fair and competitive. Communication was also first rate. Thoroughly recommend this company.
Outbuilding transformation
Mersham Kent, December 2024
★★★★★

Whole house cladding

I can’t recommend Kent Cladding highly enough. Richard and Emma have been clear, helpful and responsive throughout from quote to completion. The whole house was done in just over a week. The guys were hard working, considerate, friendly and seemed to really enjoy their work. The Hardie plank looks fantastic. I’m proud to say I live here again!
Kent, November 2024
★★★★★

Whole house cladding

I can’t recommend Kent Cladding highly enough. Richard and Emma have been clear, helpful and responsive throughout from quote to completion. The whole house was done in just over a week. The guys were hard working, considerate, friendly and seemed to really enjoy their work. The Hardie plank looks fantastic. I’m proud to say I live here again!
Whole house cladding
Kent, November 2024
★★★★★

Excellent service

We used Kent Cladding to clad the top of our house and replace the soffits and fascias. I found their service to be excellent, from start to finish, from the initial quoting process right up to the fitting. The trademen that carried out the work were polite and friendly explaining what they were doing and when they would be doing it. Richard and Emma were always available on the telephone and quick to respond to emails. I would strongly recommend Kent Cladding and if you use them I`m confident you won`t be disappointed
Sidcup Kent, October 2024
★★★★★

Excellent service

We used Kent Cladding to clad the top of our house and replace the soffits and fascias. I found their service to be excellent, from start to finish, from the initial quoting process right up to the fitting. The trademen that carried out the work were polite and friendly explaining what they were doing and when they would be doing it. Richard and Emma were always available on the telephone and quick to respond to emails. I would strongly recommend Kent Cladding and if you use them I`m confident you won`t be disappointed
Excellent service
Sidcup Kent, October 2024
★★★★★

Great attention to detail

We’ve had a great experience with Kent Cladding and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them. We’re over the moon with the end result. We opted for Light Mist and the colour is just perfect. We were a little nervous as we’re perfectionists but we needn’t have worried as the guys did a super professional job and had great attention to detail. They were also very efficient, only taking 2 days to install. They were polite and friendly and even tidied up after themselves.
Kent, August 2024
★★★★★

Great attention to detail

We’ve had a great experience with Kent Cladding and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them. We’re over the moon with the end result. We opted for Light Mist and the colour is just perfect. We were a little nervous as we’re perfectionists but we needn’t have worried as the guys did a super professional job and had great attention to detail. They were also very efficient, only taking 2 days to install. They were polite and friendly and even tidied up after themselves.
Great attention to detail
Kent, August 2024
★★★★★

Great family run business

I chose Kent Cladding because they are a family run business. This enabled me to deal with the owner (Richard) and plan the work that was going to be carried out, I find larger companies tend to quote and forget the small details discussed and Richard was onsite to oversee the work time to time. The people were punctual and started work at agreed dates. I would recommend the firm if you are seeking to reclad your house.
Kent, July 2024
★★★★★

Great family run business

I chose Kent Cladding because they are a family run business. This enabled me to deal with the owner (Richard) and plan the work that was going to be carried out, I find larger companies tend to quote and forget the small details discussed and Richard was onsite to oversee the work time to time. The people were punctual and started work at agreed dates. I would recommend the firm if you are seeking to reclad your house.
Great family run business
Kent, July 2024
★★★★★

A great service

A great service from start to finish, from the initial quote to the installation, everyone involved was helpful & courteous. Joe & Matt installed the cladding and were clean & tidy and even came in on a Saturday morning to finish up. We are really pleased with the finish to the front of the house, the porch and the back of the house too.
Faversham Kent, July 2024
★★★★★

A great service

A great service from start to finish, from the initial quote to the installation, everyone involved was helpful & courteous. Joe & Matt installed the cladding and were clean & tidy and even came in on a Saturday morning to finish up. We are really pleased with the finish to the front of the house, the porch and the back of the house too.
A great service
Faversham Kent, July 2024
★★★★★

A brilliant job very well done

What can I say Kent Cladding Limited...a brilliant job very well done. Happy doesn't come close on how I feel my home looks now with the change from wood cladding to the James Hardie fibre cement cladding...and in keeping with the other properties. A quality job, with quality materials and a fantastic installation team...I'm still amazed with the in house scaffolding provided. Would absolutely recommend to friends and family (have already done so).
Ashford Kent, May 2024
★★★★★

A brilliant job very well done

What can I say Kent Cladding Limited...a brilliant job very well done. Happy doesn't come close on how I feel my home looks now with the change from wood cladding to the James Hardie fibre cement cladding...and in keeping with the other properties. A quality job, with quality materials and a fantastic installation team...I'm still amazed with the in house scaffolding provided. Would absolutely recommend to friends and family (have already done so).
A brilliant job very well done
Ashford Kent, May 2024
★★★★★

Hardie Plank Cladding

Richard & Emma of Kent Cladding Ltd provided a very prompt survey and estimate, gave excellent advice and a very reasonable quotation. The installation team were polite, professional and friendly. We had Hardie Planking installed over very tired rendering on the rear of our house and what an amazing difference! The attention to detail and finish is outstanding. We would like to thank Richard and his fantastic team.
Kent, April 2024
★★★★★

Hardie Plank Cladding

Richard & Emma of Kent Cladding Ltd provided a very prompt survey and estimate, gave excellent advice and a very reasonable quotation. The installation team were polite, professional and friendly. We had Hardie Planking installed over very tired rendering on the rear of our house and what an amazing difference! The attention to detail and finish is outstanding. We would like to thank Richard and his fantastic team.
Hardie plank cladding
Kent, April 2024
★★★★★

Very professional service

We were delighted with the professionalism from Kent Cladding from the initial contact to the end. Polite, courteous, helpful and nothing was a problem. The team worked with minimum disruption and were a pleasure to have around. Thank you to you all
Adlington Ashford, April 2024
★★★★★

Very professional service

We were delighted with the professionalism from Kent Cladding from the initial contact to the end. Polite, courteous, helpful and nothing was a problem. The team worked with minimum disruption and were a pleasure to have around. Thank you to you all
Very professional service
Adlington Ashford, April 2024
★★★★★

Quick response and excellent finish

We are very pleased with our Hardie Plank cladding. It has transformed the look of our house. The service was great throughout: quick response to our request for a quotation, started the job promptly and on time, installers were knowledgable and friendly and the finish is excellent. There were no hidden extras to pay for. I would recommend them to anyone considering changing the look of their house.  
Borough Green Kent, February 2024
★★★★★

Quick response and excellent finish

We are very pleased with our Hardie Plank cladding. It has transformed the look of our house. The service was great throughout: quick response to our request for a quotation, started the job promptly and on time, installers were knowledgable and friendly and the finish is excellent. There were no hidden extras to pay for. I would recommend them to anyone considering changing the look of their house.  
Quick response and excellent finish
Borough Green Kent, February 2024
★★★★★

Would thoroughly recommend

From the initial visit right through to the end of the job the Kent Cladding team were very professional and respectful of our property. We are very happy with the finished job, the final tiny snagging detail that was missed was corrected within a day of being notified. I would thoroughly recommend Richard and his team to anyone looking to update and improve the exterior of their home.
Bethersden Kent, February 2024
★★★★★

Would thoroughly recommend

From the initial visit right through to the end of the job the Kent Cladding team were very professional and respectful of our property. We are very happy with the finished job, the final tiny snagging detail that was missed was corrected within a day of being notified. I would thoroughly recommend Richard and his team to anyone looking to update and improve the exterior of their home.
Would thoroughly recommend
Bethersden Kent, February 2024
★★★★★

Top quality service and product

Absolutely delighted on the cladding. So professional and an excellent transformation on our home. We cannot say how pleased we are with Kent Cladding. Chris and Dan were polite, professional and very respectful of our property and cleared and cleaned as they worked, leaving it spotless as they finished. I would highly recommend Kent cladding to anyone who want to transform their property and was such a great price to. Top quality.
Rochested Kent, February 2024
★★★★★

Top quality service and product

Absolutely delighted on the cladding. So professional and an excellent transformation on our home. We cannot say how pleased we are with Kent Cladding. Chris and Dan were polite, professional and very respectful of our property and cleared and cleaned as they worked, leaving it spotless as they finished. I would highly recommend Kent cladding to anyone who want to transform their property and was such a great price to. Top quality.
Top quality service and product
Rochested Kent, February 2024