What needs permission?

Formal approval from the Council 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
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

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

Householder Guide to Planning Permission

Not all development proposals will require formal consent - much will depend on the location of the property and the details of each particular proposal. If you are thinking of extending your house, or building within the garden, our Guide for Householders gives you basic advice on whether or not you will require formal consent for the work you want to do.

Other Consent Requirements

As well as the potential need for planning consent (and related consents such as Listed Building Consent) you should also contact the Council's Building Standards Service to check whether or not a Building Warrant is required for your proposal - you may need one even if planning permission is not required. If you do not own the property or land, you should also seek the consent of the owner.

Trees

If you wish to carry out any works to a tree, information is available on: