Planning permission

1. When you need it

You’ll probably need planning permission if you want to:

  • build something new
  • make a major change to your building, eg building an extension
  • change the use of your building

To find out if your project will need planning permission, contact your local planning authority (LPA).

Find out about the planning system in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Applying for planning permission

You can apply for planning permission online.

If your project needs planning permission and you do the work without getting it, you can be served an ‘enforcement notice’ ordering you to undo all the changes you have made.

It’s illegal to ignore an enforcement notice, but you can appeal against it.

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