Check if you need permission
It’s likely you will need planning permission if you want to:
- build something new
- extending or altering a building including those used as flats or a commercial building
- change the use of all or part of your building or land
The Planning Portal website has guidance on planning permission for common projects. For example, loft conversions and smaller single storey house extensions.
Flats
If you intend to materially alter the external appearance of a building containing flats you will always require planning permission.
Changing the windows in a flat will require planning permission unless they are like for like replacement windows – same material, dimensions, style.
Changing the use of buildings
Changing the use of buildings does not always need planning permission. The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) categorises different types of property and land into classes. Changes between uses within the same class is not development and therefore does not require planning permission. An example is a shop changing to a restaurant.
Find out more on the Planning Portal.
Permitted development
Some types of development do not need planning permission. This is called ‘permitted development’.
More information on what can be built using permitted development rights can be found here - Interactive guidance - Planning Portal
Find out if your property has permitted development rights
A quick way to establish permitted development rights and conditions is by searching the history of approvals on your property on our planning search page.
You can also request copies of our planning decisions by emailing us at:
Planning decisions are charged at £22.50 per decision.
When permitted development rights are removed
Sometimes the Council removes permitted development rights. We do this by:
- imposing an article 4 direction on the property
- removing the permitted development rights through a planning condition
If we remove permitted development rights, you need to submit a planning application for work that would not normally need it. There are no planning fees in these cases.
If you are unsure if your proposed works would fall within ‘permitted development’ you can:
- submit a Certificate of Lawful Proposed Development for a definite view before you start works
- telephone PlanningLine on 020 7361 3012 for advice
Listed buildings
Permitted development rights can also be limited for listed buildings. Irrespective of whether you require planning permission, if your building is listed, you will require listed building consent for any alterations that affect the fabric of the building.
Find out if your building is listed.
Planning permission is not required for internal alterations to buildings such as knocking down a wall between a kitchen and a lounge. However, if the building is listed, you will require listed building consent.
What if I don't need permission?
If you would like the Council to confirm that you don't need planning permission, you can apply for a Certificate of Lawful Proposed Use or Development through the Planning Portal
Appointing someone to handle your planning application
Search for an architect or planning consultant to help you prepare a planning application:
Royal Institute of British Architects
Royal Town Planning Institute
Architects Registration Board
Advertisements
The term “advertisement” covers a very wide range of advertisements and signs including:
- posters and notices
- placards and boards
- fascia signs and projecting signs
- pole signs and canopy signs
- advance signs and directional signs
- estate agents' boards
- captive balloon advertising (not balloons in flight)
- flag advertisements
- traffic signs
When is advertisement consent required?
The advertisement regulations control the display of advertisements and signs. This includes shop signs, estate agents’ boards, hoardings and flags.
Some advertisements may benefit from “deemed” consent or “express” consent may be needed before they can be displayed.
- Deemed consent permits the display of certain types of advertisement without the need for specific permission from the LPA.
- Express consent is granted by the local planning authority (LPA) or, on appeal, by the Secretary of State, in response to a specific application to display an advertisement. If the advertisement requires express consent, you need to apply for advertisement consent.
Outdoor advertisements and signs: a guide for advertisers will help you understand whether you need to apply for advertisement consent.
Planning Portal Guidance can also be useful.
In addition, if your property is a listed building (or part of), you must always apply for listed building consent.
When deciding applications for advertisement consent, local authorities will have regard only to considerations of 'amenity' and 'public safety'.
Estate Agents Boards
Estate agent boards are not permitted to be displayed in the areas detailed below unless “express consent” has been given by the Council. In other areas they can be displayed under “deemed consent”. The detailed view of the map can be found on our digital planning map by turning on the “Regulation 7 Direction” layer.
Borough Wide Map also provides a general overview and identifies areas hatched brown where “deemed consent” given by Schedule 3, Part 1, Class 3A of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 has been withdrawn.
The current Direction withdrawing “deemed consent” came into force on 18 August 2021 for a period of 10 years.