Apply for planning permission

All development needs planning permission. 'Development’ usually means most building works, and some changes of building use. You can read a full definition of what 'development' is in Section 55 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (external website).

You're responsible for getting planning permission for any development that you want to do. If you do any works without getting planning permission first, there's a risk that we might take enforcement action against you. 

Find out if you need planning permission

Before you begin to prepare a planning application, you should find out if you need permission for the works you want to do. There are some types of work that you can do without planning permission. We offer a free online service to check whether you need planning permission. 

What to do before you apply for planning permission

The planning process can be hard to understand. Before you start making your application, you should read the guidance on this page and our guidance on how to prepare a valid application. 

You can also look at our planning FAQs for answers to commonly asked questions, and the planning glossary for definitions of confusing words. If you read the guidance on these webpages, you'll find it easier to apply for planning permission.

Need more advice before you submit your planning application?

We recommend that you use our pre-application advice service to help you prepare your planning application. We will provide guidance on what you can develop and how to make sure your proposal complies with our planning policies. We can also help you understand what you need to submit with your planning application. 

Page last updated: 21 November 2023