Do you need planning permission?
If you want to make any changes to a property or land, you’ll need to check if you need planning permission first.
How to find out if you need planning permission
We offer a range of services to provide advice and information, including 'do I need planning permission'.
You can find details of our fees and how to buy this service on the pay your planning fees and other charges page. We don't offer any free services.
Alternatively, you can:
- find out yourself by visiting the Planning Portal website and reading their guidelines - their advice about common projects may be useful
- get advice from an independent planning professional
Work you can do without planning permission (permitted development rights)
You may be able to do some building projects without planning permission. This is known as permitted development rights.
As the local planning authority, we can remove permitted development rights. You’ll need to find out if this has happened before you start your work.
If you’re doing your own research, you’ll need to check the full planning history of the property or land. You can do this by looking at planning permission decisions. They will contain conditions that have removed any development rights.
Works in a conservation area or on a listed building
If your property or land is in a conservation area, or if your building is listed, different planning rules may apply. Properties within an article 4 area have extra restrictions.
Find out more about:
Find out if a proposed or existing development is lawful
There's information about lawful development on the government's website.
You can apply for a lawful development certificate on the Planning Portal website. There is a charge for this.
What to do next
You can:
- get advice before you start your application (recommended)
- prepare the documents on the householder validation checklist. You’ll need to do this before you make your application.
