If you’re planning to do building work or make changes to a property, you will probably need to get planning approval.
You do not always need planning permission to extend your house, but there may be restrictions in place, including conditions on earlier planning permissions. It is important to check before you start any work.
If your property is a flat or maisonette, is in a conservation area or is a listed building, you will need to obtain approval and apply for planning permission.
Some developments do not need to go through the full planning process and are considered ‘permitted development’. If you think your proposals fall into this category, we recommend that you apply for a Certificate of Lawful Development Certificate.
Building project guides
Our householder guidance booklet can help you plan your building project. It takes you through each stage – from the first idea to the finished build – and offers useful tips on both planning permission and building control to support a successful application and build.
The Planning Portal has useful information for popular projects and links to interactive guides.
Engaging an agent
You may find it easier to use a professional planning or architectural agent to work on your behalf and submit your application. This is not compulsory, but they may have useful local knowledge to make the process easier. They will liaise with the Local Planning Authority and respond to technical questions.
Although we cannot give recommendations, you can find a details of agents.
You can also look at similar applications to yours using our online planning register and contact the agent who submitted the application. We cannot guarantee the service provided.
A good agent will:
- advise you whether planning permission is needed
- give specialist advice on how best to meet your needs
- prepare plans and have full knowledge of relevant planning policies
- submit the application on your behalf
- be fully insured and possess the required qualifications
Consulting your neighbours
If you're making a larger householder extension application, you are required to notify your neighbours and will need to confirm you have done so on the application.
For other applications, we recommend you discuss even the simplest household proposals with your neighbours. This can help highlight any potential problems and provide the chance to work through concerns. Often small changes can make a difference and help a successful outcome.
Checking for local or national constraints
We encourage you to check our interactive maps to find any potential constraints that may affect developing your property.
If your project needs planning permission and you carry out work without it, you can be served an enforcement notice ordering you to undo or remove all the changes you have made.
It is a criminal offence to carry out works to a listed building without obtaining consent from us, even if you did not know that the building was listed.
If you're given approval for works, you must comply with the document and carry out the development in accordance with the approved plans. If you want to make changes, you must contact the planning team first who will advise on whether any further permission is required. Otherwise you will be in breach of the planning permission. This could lead to enforcement action to correct the work in accordance with the approved plans.