Find out if you need planning permission

You must apply for planning permission if you want to build a new house, shop, factory, or other similar building.

You may need to apply for planning permission if:

you're a home owner carrying out small works, such as building walls, an extension, garage, car port, or constructing hard standings
you want to change how land or a building is used - for example: extending a garden into an adjoining field, running a business from your home, or changing a shop to a hot food take away

Depending on your project, you may also need building regulations approval for the works.

Altering or extending your home

If you're thinking about altering or extending your home, you may need planning permission before you start any work. This includes for any of the following:

outbuildings
conservatories
patios and decking
house extensions
flue, chimney, or soil and vent pipe
fuel tanks
garage conversions
loft conversions
driveways and dropped kerbs
paving and front gardens
roofs
walls and fences

The Planning Portal website provides advice on some common household projects and whether they need planning permission:

Pre-application advice

Before submitting a planning application, you can use our pre-application planning advice service to find out if you do need to apply for planning permission, and how likely it is your plans would be approved.

Even if you don't need planning permission, we still recommend getting written confirmation from the council for building work as:

conveyancing solicitors usually ask for such proof when a house is being purchased
it's helpful if you need to reassure your neighbours that the works don't need planning permission