Do I need planning permission?

Introduction

You do not always need to make a planning application for if you are going to alter or improve your home.  The following guide explains the cases where you might not need to make a planning application. 

However, you are strongly advised to study carefully the Important Notes at the end of this area, and to seek written confirmation before starting work.

You might also find it useful to look at the Planning Portal Interactive House. 

This advice is based on the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development ) (Amendment) (No.2) (England) Order 2008 which includes significant changes to the legislation that was previously in force.

Replacement Windows

You do not normally require permission to install replacement windows in a single family dwelling unless you live in a listed building.  However, in parts of the Old Town, Burtons' St Leonards and St Leonards West Conservation Areas there are special restrictions and you will need to apply for permission.

If you live in a block of flats (purpose built or converted) or a commercial property you will need to make a planning application. 

If you live in a Conservation Area you should discuss your proposals with the Conservation Section of Planning Services at an early stage. This is because planning permission may not necessarily be granted for inappropriate replacement windows which do not reflect the character of the area.

Further information about the Article 4 Direction can be found in our Conservation pages.

For further information please refer to our leaflets page.

Satellite Dishes

Satellite Dishes

If you do live in a Conservation Area it is your responsibility to apply for the necessary planning permission, not the installer, and you should be aware that an application is likely to take 6-8 weeks to determine.

If you have an existing analogue dish sited on the front of your property which does not comply, and you are replacing it with digital equipment, you will need to make an application. 
You should discuss your proposal with the Conservation Section: Contact Conservation.

Wherever possible dishes in Conservation Areas should not be on the front of the building and planning permission is unlikely to be granted unless the dish is not readily visible from the front. 

It may be possible to attach the dish to the side of the building thus avoiding the need for an application. Or, you could consider a dish mounted separate from the building in the rear garden, or on the rear ( sometimes a dish can be directed over the roof).

Important Notes

These notes are intended to provide guidance on the planning legislation only.

Before starting work you should always check with our Building Control Section with regard to the requirements of the building regulations.

Before starting work you should check that there are no restrictive covenants in the deeds to your property restricting the work you propose.

The 'Permitted Development' allowances described relate only to single family dwellings and not to flats (purpose built or conversions) or commercial properties (apart from the allowances for satellite dishes which also apply to small blocks of flats).

If you live in a listed building you should always discuss your proposals with our Conservation Section at an early stage.

If you need written confirmation that you do not need to apply for planning permission for a particular project you need to make an application for a certificate of lawfulness of proposed development.