Planning Permission in the UK

Planning Permission: Lofts, Dormers & Attics

The planning system provides society with a way of controlling how we use land, what we build and where we build it.

Planning flow chart (PDF 20k)

Local and national government bodies prepare and adopt documents called development plans, consisting of maps and written policies, to show where and in what quantity various types of development will be permitted.

They also administer a development control system to make sure that proposed development conforms to the plan.

Competing Land Uses

The system helps to match our need for uses of land and buildings such as homes, offices, factories and schools with our wish to protect and improve the environment.

Planners must constantly try to balance conservation of both the built and the natural environment with development that is necessary for economic prosperity or social need.

They try to make sure, on our behalf, that new development is environmentally sustainable.

This means that it meets our present needs without affecting the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Planning

Town and country planning covers the preparation of plans and the control of development, and the many operations concerned with deciding planning applications.

Many other aspects of a development are regulated. Planning does not regulate building standards or the construction processes involved.

These come under the Building Regulations and may involve the need for separate building regulations consent. Neither does the planning service design buildings. That is the job of the architect, though the planning authority may have adopted certain design standards it requires to be met.

There are also different regulations governing the display of outdoor advertising, developments affecting 'listed' buildings of historic or cultural importance, and demolition of unlisted buildings in conservation areas. Nor does planning have anything to do with resolving disputes between neighbours, unless breaches of planning regulations are involved.

Development Plans

Local authorities prepare development plans showing their policies relating to the use and development of land over a 10-year period giving everyone a picture of what is likely to be acceptable development.

Role of Plans

Area Plans, especially Development Plans, have an important role to play in the way land and buildings are developed and used.

Planning applications are required by law to be determined in accordance with the Development Plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

This means that when the local authority determines a planning application it will look at which Development Plan policies and proposals apply to a particular parcel of land or building and then see how closely the development proposal complies with the Plan.

For example:

For a proposed extension to a house, there will usually be policies controlling size, design, and neighbourliness

For a change of use of a building in a Conservation Area, the Development Plan will indicate the types of new uses and any associated changes to the external appearance of the building that are likely to be acceptable.

Do you need planning permission?

If you have any queries about a particular case, the first thing to do is to ask the planning department of your local council. You may also be able to find out more about planning law in your local library.

If you are concerned about a legal problem involving planning, the local Citizens Advice Bureau or a solicitor may be able to help.

When is it needed?

The following are common examples of when you will need to for apply for planning permission.

You want to make additions or extensions to a flat or maisonette (including those converted from houses). (Nevertheless you do not need planning permission to carry out internal alterations or work which does not affect the external appearance of the building.)

You want to divide off part of your house for use as a separate home (for example, a self-contained flat or bed-sit) or use a caravan in your garden as a home for someone else. (However you do not need planning permission to let one or two of your rooms to lodgers.)

You want to divide off part of your home for business or commercial use (for example, a workshop) or you want to build a parking place for a commercial vehicle at your home.

The work you want to do might obstruct the view of road users.

You do not always need planning permission. It is not required, generally speaking, for changes to the inside of buildings, or for small alterations to the outside such as the installation of telephone connections and alarm boxes.

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