subject: Planning Permission - When Do You Need It in the UK? [print this page] Planning Permission - When Do You Need It in the UK?
When planning any major building work in the UK you will need to check if you need planning permission. Building work in the UK is regulated by the planning system and each local authority has a planning department that will need to give you permission BEFORE you start your project.
However, not all building work requires planning permission. Minor home improvements do not and even some major domestic building work, such as house extensions, may not need planning permission as long as certain conditions are met. Building work that does not require planning permission come under an exemption ruling called "Permitted Development".
How doI know ifI need Planning Permission?
Whether you need planning permission depends on many factors that change from authority to authority. Some of the factors are:
The materials you will use
The size of the building area
Whether the building work intrudes on a neighbour's property (for example blocks light)
The kind of building work you are doing
Whether you live in a conservation area
The only way you can be really sure is to contact your local authorities planning department. They will let you know if you need permission for the type of work you are carrying out.
Even if your authority has indicated to you that you do not need planning permission you can, for peace of mind, ask them for a document called a Lawful Development Certificate. This will confirm that your building work does not need planning permission.
Building regulations.
Even if you do not need planning permission the chances are you will need building regulations approval. Building regulations make sure that the building work you carry out is safe and to the right safety standard. They also specify what materials should be used and have to be approved by an approved inspector.
On some building works (like replacement windows) building regulations can be automatically passed if you use an approved installer under the Competent Persons Scheme. The installer can self-certify the installation and an inspector will not need to call.
What can happen if I don't get permission and build anyway?
In a word, demolition. Your local authority has the power to force you to demolish the building work or they can demolish it themselves under warrant. Many unauthorised building works have been demolished by councils in the UK.
Of course the best way to ensure you are on the right side of the council is to employ a reputable builder who will take care of the building regulations for you and also help with the planning permission application. Pelican Builders in Battersea are renown for this.
For another article on building work check out Paving Stones How to lay them correctly
