Do I need planning permission?

Before starting any development work, you should find out if you need planning permission. This will depend on what you intend to do and also where the work is to take place for instance on a listed building or within a conservation area.

You may also require Building Regulations Approval, which must be applied for separately.

Permission is usually necessary for

Making additions or extensions to your home. This could include a conservatory.
Dividing off part of your house for use as a separate unit, such as a self-contained flat or bed-sit.
Building a separate house in your garden, or converting a barn or garage into a dwelling.
Dividing off part of your home for business or commercial use (for example, a workshop) or building a parking place for a commercial vehicle.
Building something that goes against the terms of the original planning permission for your house - for example, a planning condition may have been imposed to prevent your garage from being converted into living space. The council has a record of all planning permissions in its area.
Any work that might obstruct the view of road users.
Any work that would involve a new or wider access to a trunk or classified road.

Permission is not usually required for

Repairs or maintenance.
Minor improvements, such as painting your house or replacing windows.
Internal alterations.
Insertion of windows, skylights or roof lights (but if you want to create a new bay window, it will be treated as an extension of the house).
Installation of solar panels that, in the council's view, do not project significantly beyond the existing roof slope.
Re-roofing your house.
To let one or two of your rooms to lodgers

This list is for guidance only. If you are in doubt, please contact us to see if your proposal requires permission. If you find you do need planning permission we would encourage you to talk to us first before submitting your application as this should help you submit an application that has the correct information for a decision. Click here for the Do I Need Planning Permission? form.

Satellite Dishes

Satellite dishes are often difficult to locate in an acceptable position. The planning portal has a useful Satellite Locator Tool will advise you if you need permission and give you an idea whether it would be granted permission in certain locations. Further guidance given in the Government's publication A Householder's Planning Guide for the Installation of Antennas including Satellite Dishes

Please use this information as an indication of the need for planning permission and seek written confirmation from us before you install a satellite dish.