What needs planning permission?

Changes to regulations

The regulations setting out whether planning permission is required for certain types of alterations and extensions to houses changed on 6 February. A summary of the changes is available to provide general guidance on the new arrangements.

Formal approval from us may be required for most forms of development, whether you want to:

• alter or extend a house or flat, or erect a building within the garden - our guidance for householders gives you basic advice on whether or not you will require formal consent for the works you want to do
• change the use of land or buildings e.g. from residential to office use
• erect a sign
• carry out engineering or excavation works
• erect or extend any other form of building whether residential, industrial, commercial or agricultural.

To find out if works will require planning permission, or to get an opinion on the likelihood of obtaining planning permission, you can make use of our provisional enquiry form. 

Provided you supply enough relevant information, a planning officer should be able to advise you as to what planning policies and issues will be relevant, and whether or not you should consider amending any aspects of your proposal. 

The completed provisional enquiry form should include your contact details, details of the site and your proposal, and additional information such as a location plan and sketches. 

If your development is significant you may require pre-application consultation (PAC). 

If your property is within a conservation area, you may also require formal approval for the replacement of windows or doors or painting of the exterior of the property.  If your property is also a listed building, works to the interior of the building may also require consent.  

You can find out which officer covers a particular area on our downloadable map.