When you will be required to apply for planning permission?

The following are typical examples of when you will be required to apply for planning permission:

• You would like to divide off part of your house for use as a separate home (for example, a self-contained apartment or bed-sit) or use a caravan in your garden as a home for someone else. You do not need planning permission to let one or two of your rooms to lodgers.
• You would like to make additions or extensions to a flat/maisonette (including those converted from houses). You do not need planning permission to carry out internal alterations or work that does not affect the external appearance of the building.
• You would like build something which goes against the terms of the original planning permission for your property - for example, your house may have originally been built with a restriction to stop owners putting up fences in the front gardens due to the fact that it is an "open plan" estate. Your council holds records of all planning permissions in its area.
• You would like to divide off part of your home for business or commercial use (for example, a workshop) or you want to build a parking place for a commercial vehicle. The DETR produce a free booklet "Planning Permission: A Guide for Business" which is available from your council. It gives comprehensive advice regarding working from home and whether planning permission is likely to be required.
• The work would involve a new or wider access to a classified or trunk road.
• The work you would like to do may obstruct the view of road users.

The remainder of this section gives additional advice on when you will be required to apply for planning permission. If this information does not cover your requirements, you should discuss your proposals with the planning department of your council.