Do I need Planning Permission?
A number of changes were made to the planning system in October 2008. Therefore, if you are planning to make any alterations to your property, it is recommended that you contact the Development Control team for advice on how to go about this.
Full details of the changes to the planning system can be found by viewing the 'Guidance Notes for Residential Extenstions' and the 'Guidance notes for Residential Outbuildings' on the Planning Portal website.
An online interactive guide is available on the Planning portal, which takes you through the new domestic planning regime.
Please Note: As of the 1st May 2009, it will no longer be possible for the Council, as Local Planning Authority to provide 'free' informal written advice as to whether or not planning permission is required for householder developments i.e. including for extensions to dwellings or outbuildings and other development within gardens.
Therefore, should you require confirmation from the Council regarding such proposed householder developments it will be necessary for you to submit a formal application under Section 192 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended), for a Certificate of Lawfulness of Proposed Development.
You will appreciate that a Certificate of Lawfulness for Proposed Development (CLPD) is a formal application that attracts a fee; which will be half the amount that would be payable in respect of an application for planning permission to carry out the development. In addition, with the application, you will be required to complete an application form and submit this together with 3 sets of plans (drawn to scale), including a site location plan with the site outlined in red and existing and proposed elevation and floor plans of the property. Application forms for a Certificate of Lawfulness for Proposed Development may be obtained from the Planning Portal; or from the Council Offices.
In view of the above, any correspondence relating to 'permitted development' enquiries for householder developments received from the 1st May 2009 onwards will not be replied to, and you will accordingly be advised of the need to submit a Certificate of Lawfulness for Proposed Development application.
