Do I need planning permission?

When you are likely to need it

You will probably need planning permission if you want to:

• build something new
• make a major change to your building, such as an extension
• change the use of your building, for example turning a shop into a home

Some smaller projects on houses are covered by permitted development rights, so you do not need to apply. The rights do not apply to flats or maisonettes, and are tighter in places like conservation areas and National Parks.

Planning permission is not the same as building regulations approval. Most building work needs to meet building regulations even if it does not need planning permission.

How to apply in England

1. Check first. Contact your local planning authority (LPA) through your council. Ask if your project needs permission.
2. Apply to your LPA. Your council will tell you what your application needs to include and the fee to pay.
3. Wait for a decision. The council checks your plans against its local rules.

If you want proof that your project does not need permission, you can apply for a lawful development certificate.

How long a decision takes

If the council takes longer than this without your agreement, you can appeal.

What the council looks at

The council judges your plans against its local development plan. It looks at things like:

• the number, size, layout and look of buildings
• roads, water supply and other services
• landscaping
• what the land will be used for
• the effect on the area, such as extra traffic

The council does not decide based on whether local people want the project. It decides based on planning rules.

If you are refused

You can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate if your application is refused, approved with conditions you object to, or not decided in time.

For a householder project, such as an extension, you have 12 weeks from the date on your decision letter to appeal.

If you were also given an enforcement notice, the deadline can be much shorter, as little as 28 days. Appeals can take several months to decide.

If you build without permission

If you do work that needed permission and did not get it, your council can serve an enforcement notice. This can make you undo the work. It is illegal to ignore an enforcement notice, but you can appeal against it.

If you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland

• Wales: you apply through the Welsh system, online or on paper forms, and the Welsh Government publishes its own fees.
• Scotland: Scotland has its own planning system. Many small alterations and extensions do not need an application.
• Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland has its own planning system. Check nidirect.

Related guides

• What is permitted development and what can I build without planning permission?
• What are building regulations and when do I need approval?
• What is a party wall agreement and when do I need one?
• What is a tree preservation order?

Where this comes from

• Planning permission (GOV.UK)
• Planning permission: when you do not need it (GOV.UK)
• Planning permission: after you apply (GOV.UK)
• Planning permission: appeals (GOV.UK)
• Householder appeals: how long you have to appeal (GOV.UK)
• Permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance (GOV.UK)
• Apply for planning permission in Wales (GOV.WALES)
• Planning permission in Scotland (mygov.scot)