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What is Planning Permission

One of the Council's major planning responsibilities is that of controlling development within the policies of the Local Plan.

In general terms, most development requires permission from the Local Planning Authority. An application for permission is considered by the Development Control Section.

The definition of development as set out in the Planning Acts is wide ranging and includes:

• changing the use of land and/or buildings
• construction or alteration of buildings
• most other construction and engineering works.

  In practice not all development requires an application to be made to gain permission and many minor household works are classed as Permitted Development. Determining what does need planning permission and what does not can often be a complex matter.

  There are a small number of changes of use, described in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, that do not require planning permission. For example, a restaurant can be converted to a shop without the approval of the Local Planning Authority.

  Some types of advertisement signs can be displayed without the consent of the Local Planning Authority.

  Most development does require approval. If there is any doubt as to whether permission is needed, please contact the Development Control Section to enquire.

  Please talk to us about it first. In order to help the public with the complex issues involved with different types of planning applications and proposals, staff within the Development Control Section are always available to give free advice. Planning officers welcome discussion of sketch plans and proposals before they are formally submitted as a planning application.

  Pre-application discussion is positively encouraged to avoid delays and possible refusals of planning permission.

  Advice Notes

  Advice notes covering some of the more common planning issues have been prepared. While not being able to specify exactly what will be given planning permission, the notes do give advice on problems and possible solutions, based on past experience in dealing with such proposals. They are divided into two groups, Planning Advice and Design Advice. The Planning Advice notes cover planning procedure and development control in particular and the Design Advice notes offer guidance on how to extend or alter properties.

  The following Notes are available free of charge and are available using the links in the right hand column.

  Planning Advice

• Planning Approval
• Permitted Development
• Enforcement
• Planning Appeals
• Trees
• Secondary Glazing
• Working from Home
• Day Nurseries
• Take Away Hot Food Shops, Restaurants, Cafes

  Design Advice

• House Extensions
• Porches
• Dormers & Rooflights
• Garages & Car Ports
• Bays & Facelifts
• Shopfronts & Shutters
• Conservation Areas
• Temporary Boardings on Vacant Properties or Sites

  Supplementary guidance notes are also available in connection with the City Plan

• Access for People with Disabilities
• Commuted Car Parking Payments
• Affordable Housing

  If you have any difficulties or queries, do not hesitate to contact staff in the Development Control section.