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Planning law is very complex. Most development or change of use requires planning permission.
If you are looking to make changes to your home we have created the downloadable Householder Development Questionnaire which you can fill out and we will be able to let you know if you need permission. If in any doubt contact your local team on 01225 394041 who will be happy to advise you, though due to the complexity of law and regulations we may have to ask you to fill out the Householder Development Questionnaire.
Basic informal advice on planning topics can be found on the Planning Portal (an external UK Government website), please select links below. This is an introductory guide only and not a definitive source of legal information.
Extend my house?
Build a garage or other detached building on my property?
Build a porch on my house?
Carry out maintenance on my house?
Construct a patio or driveway on my property?
Put up a fence, wall or gate on my property?
Erect a shed or greenhouse on my property?
Demolish a building?
Listed Buildings (Council web page)
Putting up a satellite dish or antenna?
Satellite Dishes (Council web page)
Change of use - Dwellings
Working from home
Advice for Businesses
Change of use - Businesses
Use Class Order
Common projects
Factors affecting planning permission
Your responsibilities
Planning advertisement control (Council web page)
Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (Council web page)
Dropped kerbs (Council web page)
Roads, highways and pavements (Council web page)
Making a planning application (Council web page)
Planning Application Process
Case studies
Further advice and guidance can be found under Related Information on the right of this page.
New building work will often need to comply with the Building Regulations. These prescribe minimum standards for health and safety. The Planning Portal website also provides advice on Building Regulations.
Planning Portal Volume Calculator
Planning Portal Fee Calculator
Planning Portal Antenna Guide
Planning Portal Visual Guide for Householders
The advice is neither a statement of law nor an interpretation of the law, and its status is only an introductory guide to planning and should not be used as a source for statutory definitions.
