Do I Need Planning Permission?

If you are planning to carry out works to a domestic property you should fill out and return a Planning & Building Regulations Questionnaire [195kb] and the Borough Council will provide you with written confirmation of whether Planning Permission and/or Building Regulations approval is/are required

Minor Works

Certain minor works to domestic properties may not require Planning Permission and are classed as ‘permitted development’. General guidelines as to what is permitted development are available on the Planning Portal website, but as local circumstances and the planning history of your property may have a bearing on what works you can carry out without Planning Permission, you are still recommended to submit a Planning & Building Regulations Questionnaire.

Most building works require approval under the Building Regulations, so it is likely that you will need to apply to the Borough Council for Building Regulations approval, even if you do not need to make a planning application.

Legislation

The Government introduced legislation on 1^st October 2008, which has put in place a new permitted development regime for householders. In most cases, this has reduced the need for householders to apply for Planning Permission to extend their homes, although some developments with potential adverse impacts are now be brought under control.

If you are a householder who has previously submitted a Planning & Buildings Regulations Questionnaire to the Borough Council, please check if you fall within one of the following scenarios and note what action you should now take:

Scenario 1

Questionnaire submitted, Planning Permission not required & works commenced before 1st October 2008 – Nothing needs doing.

Scenario 2

Questionnaire submitted, Planning Permission not required, works not yet commenced – Advised to submit another questionnaire.

Scenario 3

Questionnaire submitted, Planning Permission required but planning application not yet submitted - Advised to submit another questionnaire.

You are advised to keep any documents you receive stating that Planning Permission or Building Regulations approval are not required in a safe place. You may be required to produce them if you sell your property in the future.

Any works carried out without Planning Permission, or without written confirmation that Planning Permission is not required, are at your own risk.