Planning control is the process of managing the development of land and buildings. The purposes of this process are to save what is best of our heritage and improve the infrastructure upon which we depend for a civilised existence.
Your local planning authority (LPA) – usually the district or borough council – is responsible for deciding whether a proposed development should be allowed to go ahead. This is called planning permission.
Most new buildings, major alterations to existing buildings and significant changes to the use of a building or piece of land need this permission.
However, certain minor building works – known as permitted development – do not require planning permission. This is because the effect of such developments on neighbours or the surrounding environment is likely to be small – e.g. building a boundary wall below a certain height. Similarly, a change of land or building use is classed as permitted development, if it’s within the same use class.
Other areas get special protection against certain developments. Reasons for special protection include:
- Protect attractive landscape – e.g. national parks
- Protect interesting plants and/or wildlife
- Control the spread of towns and villages into open countryside – e.g. Green Belts
- Protect monuments or buildings of historical or architectural interest
Please download the files below for further information or contact us.