Do I need planning permission?

Do you need planning permission for external insulation, rendering, use of brick slips or other changes to the external façade/appearance of your house?

If the work carried out materially changes the façade/appearance of your house, or you live in a Conservation Area and/or a Listed Building, planning permission will be required. Each site has to be considered on its own merits depending on the existing property and the works proposed. Vehicular crossovers (dropped kerbs) may also need planning permission.

We would always advise you to seek confirmation of the planning status before carrying out any work and this can be done either by using the Council’s pre-application advice service , or by submitting an application for a certificate of lawfulness.

Whether or not you need planning permission, you may still need building regulations consent. For more information contact [email protected].

However, some types of minor building work, such as a boundary wall below a certain height and small extensions do not need planning permission – this is known as permitted development.

Submit a planning application

You may need to be aware that some developments are affected by specific local requirements that are explained in our supplementary planning documents section.

New to planning or worried about potential costs?

Planning Aid England provides, free, independent and professional planning advice to communities and individuals who cannot afford to pay professional fees.