Do I need planning permission?

Before you start any building work (or use any building or land for a new purpose) it is very important to check whether you need planning permission. If you don't, you may be breaking the law. At the very least, you will be exposing yourself to unnecessary hassle and expense.

To find out whether you need planning permission, you must either:

• consult the Planning Portal ;
• submit a householder enquiry (for extensions and outbuildings at home); or Pre Application (for all other proposals)

  Please note that we are currently experiencing a high volume of work. As a consequence, planning applications are taking priority and a pre-application request will take significantly longer than the set 8 week period. This does not affect householder enquiries.

• submit a lawful development certificate (for everything else).

We cannot give you informal advice in any format.