It is your responsibility to find out if you need planning permission or not.
You can find out more about whether you need planning permission on some of the most common types of projects such as loft conversions, porches and smaller single storey house extensions.
Some properties have the permitted development rights removed or restricted, which means you may have to apply for planning permission. Contact us for this information.
Larger house extensions
The increased size limits for single-storey rear extensions that were previously time limited have now been made permanent.
For some work which is permitted development, including change of use, you will still need to notify us through the prior approvals process.
Find out when you need to get prior approval
The prior approvals process is simpler than applying for full planning permission.
Large single storey extensions
Large single storey extensions may be permitted development but you will need to notify us if you are going to build one. This applies to extensions of between four and eight metres for a detached house, or between three and six metres for all other houses. More information on prior approval for large single storey extensions is available from the Planning Portal.
Change of use
You will also need to notify us for some changes of use which are normally classed as permitted development. See the Planning Portal for details of which types of change of use are subject to prior approval.
If you want to apply for a flexible change of use then you need to use our Prior Notification Class D change of use form.
Forestry, agricultural, telecommunications and demolitions
Guidance notes on prior approval for Forestry, agricultural, telecommunications or demolitions work are available from the Planning Portal.
If your development is greater than 100 square metres of net additional floorspace you may need to pay the Community Infrastructure Levy and notify us before development starts.
Retrospective planning permission
If you have built something that requires planning permission and you have not had approval, we may ask you to submit a retrospective planning application for the work that you have already carried out. This does not mean that permission will automatically be granted.
You can apply for retrospective planning permission on the Planning Portal.
How to get proof that your development is legal
This is often most useful if you are selling your house or a piece of land. You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) to get proof that:
- the existing use of or work to a building is lawful for planning purposes and didn’t need planning permission
- your proposed use or development of a building does not require planning permission
More details about how and when to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate are available on the Planning Portal.
Temporary structures for hospitality venues and visitor attractions
On 16 April 2021 the Government introduced changes to The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2015 to allow hospitality venues (pubs, cafes, restaurants) and historic visitor attractions to erect temporary moveable structures (such as gazebos and marquees) to increase seating capacity and support the economic recovery of the sector.
These changes apply until 1 January 2022 after which time the moveable structures must be removed.
The following conditions also apply:
- the moveable structure must be erected within the premises' boundary
- the moveable structure must not be used for the display of advertisements
- the provisions do not apply to scheduled monuments
- the moveable structure must not cause the alteration, demolition or extension of a listed building
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate for confirmation that permission is not required.
See the validation requirements for details of what you need to include with your application.
The Planning Portal also has guidance on how to get a certificate for a listed building.
Houses in multiple occupation
Permitted development rights have been removed for the conversion of a dwelling house into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) in some wards. If you wish to apply for an HMO in an area affected by the Article 4 direction, you will need to make a planning application.
