Do I need planning permission?
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It is important to find out if planning permission is needed before making any changes to a property.
If you carry out work without permission, you may be forced to put things back to the way they were.
Find out if you need planning permission
Use our free online tool to find out if the work you want to do to your home or building project needs planning permission.
If planning permission is needed
Planning applications are submitted via the Planning Portal.
Planning agents
We recommend you use an agent familiar with the planning process to help with your planning application, especially if you’re new to the planning process, your project is complex or if the project relates to a conservation area.
An agent is anyone you wish to appoint, for example,
- a builder
- architect or architectural technician
- planning consultant
- someone with experience of the planning process.
Planning agents:
- advise on the planning process
- create plans and maps
- submit planning applications for you
- can work with Council officers on your behalf.
Agents offer varied levels of service: some deal with the full planning process and some will only prepare drawings plans and maps.
We are unable to recommend an agent for you.
- Find a professional - Planning Portal
- Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
- Architects Registration Board (ARB)
- Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Our pre-application planning advice service
Permitted development rights: When planning permission is not needed
Some proposed building projects do not always need planning permission. This is known as permitted development rights.
Projects that normally have permitted development rights include:
• minor works and house extensions (some works may be subject to prior approval)
• some change of use for commercial premises
• electronic communication equipment (for example, mobile masts)
• demolition - before you begin you must get approval to demolish from the planning department
Certificate of lawful development
If you would like formal confirmation that your proposal falls under permitted development, you should apply for a certificate of lawful development.
You will need to create an account and apply for a lawful development certificate on the Planning Portal.
The application will then be sent to us and we decide whether the certificate should be granted.
Other types of development
Larger home extensions
If you want to add a single storey rear extension, you might be eligible under the prior approval larger home extension consultation scheme.
- Read the Planning Portal guidance notes on extensions
- Use our online tool to find out if you need planning permission or if you need to obtain prior approval from us
- Submit your application
No development can start until you receive written notification from us that either:
- prior approval is not required
- prior approval is required and given
- the expiry of a period of no less than 42 days following the date on which the information was received by us and no written notification has been sent to the developer whether prior approval is given or refused
If your property is within a conservation area then you will need to submit a householder application.
Change of use
Most alterations to business premises do need planning permission, including:
- extensions to a shop or office
- fitting external security shutters or grilles
- shop front alterations
- changes to the use of the land or buildings
The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) puts uses of land and buildings into various categories known as 'Use Classes'.
Display of advertisements
The installation of adverts to shops will require a separate advertisement consent, in addition to planning permission.
Listed buildings
If you wish to carry out internal or external works to a listed building you’ll need listed building consent and probably planning permission.
Our design and conservation team can advise whether listed building consent is required for
proposed works and can provide pre-application advise for your proposals.
It is a criminal offence to carry out work which needs listed building consent without obtaining it beforehand.
Conservation areas
You’ll need to apply for permission if you wish to demolish a building, or part of a building within a conservation area.
Protected trees
A tree can be protected by:
- having a Tree Preservation Order (TPO)
- being within a Conservation Area