Find out if you need planning permission

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There are six key types of consent which may need to be sought through the planning system:

Planning permission relates to both changes of use and physical works to land, buildings and structures. Some projects do not require specific planning permission, as they are can be undertaken using ‘Permitted Development Rights’.
Prior Notification relates to certain proposals utilising ‘Permitted Development Rights’, which are required to seek ‘Prior Approval’ from the Local Planning Authority before works and/or a change of use take place.
Listed Building Consent relates to works both internally and externally on/within listed buildings and some structures within their grounds.
Advertisement Consent relates to signs and advertisements on the exterior of all buildings and land.
Works to Protected Trees – These are trees protected by Tree Preservation Orders and/or due to their location within a conservation area.
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), which include some very large scale energy projects.

Some projects will require more than one form of consent.

Building Regulations are separate legislation from Planning.

Please note that the Permitted Development Rights shown via the above links may be reduced or have been removed on your property.

The physical works and changes of use that you can undertake without the need for specific permission are reduced:

if the building has been altered or extended since July 1948
if an access is proposed on to a classified road
if the proposed works are to a Listed Building (and/or within its grounds at time of listing)
within a Designated Area
where these rights have been removed by an Article 4 Direction
where rights for physical alterations have been removed by a condition on the original planning permission for the property or a subsequent consent for alterations or additions
where rights for a change of use have been removed by a condition on the current planning permission for the building and/or land.

and/or:

the property was created through permitted development rights to change use from shops, financial and professional services premises or agricultural buildings, as these cannot use householder permitted development rights to improve, alter or extend homes

It is advisable to check at the outset with our planning office to see if permission is needed, by using our pre-application planning advice service.

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