Find out if you need planning permission

Every project is different, and there are no set rules as to what will and won't require planning permission. Use the Interactive House on the Planning Portal website to help you understand the permitted development rights and building regulations for a variety of home improvement projects.

Planning help service for householder development

Please be aware that planning regulations can be very complex and the Planning Portal may suggest you get more information from your Local Authority by submitting a Certificate of Lawfulness application.
For householder development enquiries we offer a planning help service for £78 (incl. VAT).
This service will let you know exactly which permissions you need for your home improvement.

Guidance on permitted development

Every project is different, and there are no set rules as to what will and won't require planning permission.

The General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) sets out the legislation appertaining to the granting of planning permission for certain types of development without the requirement for approval from the local planning authority. See below:

The General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) (external website)

The following Government guidance sets out those specific to householder permitted development rights which allow improvement and extension to homes without the need to make a planning application.

GOV.UK - Permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance (external website)

You can also use the Interactive House on the Planning Portal website to help you further understand the permitted development rights and building regulations for a variety of home improvement projects.

Still not sure? We can help...

We offer a service to advise on Permitted Development enquiries for any householder development and we will also tell you whether building control regulations will apply.

Find out how we can help

Please note: changes to our advice service as from 6 October 2025 require that if you are seeking confirmation on any non-householder development, you will now need to apply for a lawful development certificate.

Find out if you need planning permission

There are two ways in which you can get confirmation if you need to apply for planning permission:

Use the council's quick and easy service (householder development only)

Use this option to find out if you need planning permission for householder development.

We can tell you if you will need to apply for planning permission. It's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to planning permission and building control. We know how confusing it can be so we're happy to help and hopefully take the stress out of your building project:

  • We will confirm whether your need to apply for planning permission and establish if you need building regulation approval at a charge of £78 (incl. VAT)
  • We establish if you need building regulation approval
  • You only need to provide basic sketch plans, making sure that dimensions are clearly indicated (in metres, not feet)
  • You get a decision from the council normally within 14 days stating whether or not you need to apply for planning or building regulations approval
  • Our decision is written proof if planning permission or building regulations were not required, which is useful when selling your home.

Please continue and follow the instructions to log in or register an account when prompted.

Check if you need planning permission and building regulation approval

Apply for a 'Lawful Development Certificate' from the Planning Portal website

You can also find out if you need planning permission by submitting a formal application known as a 'Lawful Development Certificate' via the Planning Portal website.

The consequences of building without permission

If you build without having received the correct planning permission, this could be classed as an unauthorised development.

You could be served an enforcement notice, which could order you, at your own expense, to undo all the changes you have made.

If you fail to follow an enforcement notice, or if you have committed a criminal offence, such as an unauthorised demolition, you could be prosecuted.

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