The development management section grants planning permission which meet the requirements of the local plan and national planning guidelines.
Certain types of work are covered by what’s called ‘permitted development’. This means that they can be carried out without planning permission, if they comply with the permitted development rules and restrictions. There are however situations where your permitted development rights may have been modified or removed. This can be the case on some larger scale housing developments. If you are unsure if your permitted development rights have been removed, you can contact your local planning office to check if you need planning permission.
Parliament has given the main responsibility for planning to local planning authorities. Therefore, if you have any queries about a particular case, the first thing to do is to contact your local planning office. You may also be able to find out more about planning law via the Planning Portal website.
Planning applications are decided in line with the development plan unless there are very good reasons not to do so. There are many issues that Planning Officers need to consider when reviewing your application, particularly if it’s a householder application. These include:
- Size, layout, siting and external appearance of buildings and extensions.
- The effect of your proposals on any neighbouring properties.
- Proposed means of access, landscaping and impact on the neighbourhood.
- Proposed use of the development.
It is not necessary to make the application yourself. You can appoint an agent, such as ourselves, to make it for you.
Anyone can make an application, irrespective of who owns the land or buildings concerned. However, if you are not the owner, or if you have only part-ownership, you have to inform the owner or those who share ownership, including any leaseholder whose lease still has seven or more years to run, and any agricultural tenant, if you want to convert an agricultural building creating a barn conversion.