Development Control - Do I Need Planning Permission?

Many alterations can be carried out to a residential property without the need to apply for planning permission.

Use the Interactive House on the Planning Portal to see if you require permission to alter or extend your property. The simple visual guides outline common household projects. Links to further information will take you to the Planning Portal's Building Work and Greener Homes sections.

Mini Guides for common householder projects: Please use the links below to assist you find information on the most common projects for works to a residential property.

Fences, walls and gates

Garage conversion

Should you require a formal written response then you will need to apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness for Proposed Use or Development

What is permitted development?

As well as planning permission, you may need building regulations approval, so check on this before you start work. In many cases, planning permission may not be required, but building regulation approval could be. For informal advice, please contact our Building Control team on 01803 861234, or view Building Control for further information.

If you live in a Designated Area including National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and, in the future under legislation in the pipeline, World Heritage Sites, separate restrictions apply. The Government restricts development facing onto and visible from a highway in all types of designated area. Conservation Area leaflets . Further advise is also available on the Planning Portal

If your property is a listed building separate restrictions and controls on development apply and Listed Building Consent is likely to be needed for any work to or near it.

To view a copy of Statutory Instrument 2008 No. 2362 - Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (No. 2) (England) Order 2008 click here

If you would like to find out more about Planning, building and the environment, the Communities and Local Government website has more information

Further Information and Contact: 01803 861122 - Our Planning Administration team will be happy to assist you.