Planning Permission
What is Planning Permission?
Planning permission is the application process that allows consent from a local authority for certain types of building work to be completed. The application can either be approved (on occasion, subject to certain conditions) or refused.
The decision is usually determined by the planning department within the local authority in which the project sits. Each local authority will normally have a development plan (or similar) set in place. These local plans would have been adopted from an overarching national strategy.
Why is it needed?
Planning permission and planning policies are mainly put into place so that inappropriate or unlawful developments do not occur. If planning permission is required on your project, it is always advised that permission is granted before commencing works. If the work has already started before gaining relevant certification then the local authority will send an enforcement notice requiring a retrospective application to be made. In a worst-case scenario, the application may be refused thus requiring the works to be demolished at your own expense.
Our team is on hand to help you with any aspect of planning permission, whether you are just in the early stages of your project or you have been served with an enforcement notice.
Common projects requiring Planning Permission
- New builds
- Works outside the limitations set in the Permitted Development rights
- Works in a conservation area
- Some change of use types
- Most types of projects on flats
If you are unsure if your project requires planning permission then we are more than happy to offer you some free advice! We have helped countless clients to navigate the uncertain and often complex waters of planning permission applications and would be delighted to find out more about your project.