Planning Permission

If you are planning some form of building work or alterations on a property in the UK then you may well need planning permission before you can have the work done. There are various rules and regulations regarding planning permission and restrictions may vary according to where you live, what you want to do and what kind of house you live in. So it is worth checking with your local council to see if planning permission will be necessary before you proceed with any work.

If you do need to apply for planning permission then you will need to fill in the relevant application forms and submit them. You may have to wait a few weeks to get a decision. It is important not just to go ahead before you get planning permission - if permission is then refused you will have to make good the work (i.e. change it back) and you could be liable for legal costs.

You may find that it is easier to get your builder or architect to submit your application for you - bear in mind that they may charge for this. In any case you will also have to pay a fee with your application - the amount you will be charged will generally depend on the work that you want to do.

If your application for planning permission is denied then you can appeal against the decision - you can get details of the appeals process from the local council if necessary.