Do I need planning permission?

Thinking of altering or extending? 

Are you thinking about altering or extending your property? Or do you want to use renewable technologies, such as solar panels, to make your home energy efficient?  In certain circumstances you can carry out some of these improvements without needing to make an application for planning permission.

Television digital switchover

Television digital switchover is coming this September and it affects South Oxfordshire.  Details of the digital switchover are available from Digital UK.  Some residents may require upgraded television aerials or want a new satellite dish. Follow this link for more information on requirements for planning permission.

Permitted development (PD)

Certain works (such as installing solar panels or adding a conservatory) do not necessarily need planning permission.  That is as long as the proposal accords with one of the various classes of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2008.

The 2008 Order is national legislation and applies to most homes apart from flats and apartments.  The Order allows homeowners to conduct certain work and alterations to their property subject to that development according with the relevant Class and conditions of the Order.

For example, householder extensions fall within Part 1, Class A of the 2008 Order, and solar panels are covered by Part 1, Class 40.  If your proposed extension meets with all of the restrictions and conditions set out under Class A, it is permitted by the Order and you do not need planning permission from the council.  However, if your proposed  extension does not comply with all of the criteria, you will need planning permission and will have to submit an application.

If you would like a planning officers opinion to see if you are likely to obtain planning permission please see our section on pre-application advice.

Development advice service

In order to advise you whether or not planning permission is required we have to research information about your property and understand exactly what work is being carried out.  We can only give advice of a general nature over the telephone.  To investigate further you have three options.  You can:

Option 1: Online guidance

This option is free.  You can use the links below to assess your proposal against the criteria of the General Permitted Development Order 2008.  If your proposed development meets with all of the relevant restrictions and conditions of the relevant class, then you can proceed without the need to make a formal application subject to there not being any restrictions affecting your property.  However, if you are not sure, we recommend you proceed with option 2 or option 3 as set out below.

Please be aware that there may be a permitted development restriction on your property.  If you are in any doubt then we advise you to use options 2 or 3 below.

If you carry out works which are not permitted development and do not have planning permission you should be aware that the council will take formal enforcement action against the development.

Special restrictions apply on listed buildings so even if the works you want to carry out do not require planning permission, they may still require listed building consent.  

Option 2: Officer's informal opinion

If you are not sure whether your proposal requires planning permission or not, then you can ask for an officer's informal opinion.  The charge for providing this service is £45 (which includes VAT).  You will need to provide us with certain information which is outlined in the guidance notes.  In return we will send you a letter offering an officer's opinion as to whether planning permission is needed.  We aim to respond within 15 working days of receiving your enquiry.

Option 3: Certificate of Proposed Lawful Use or Development

If you wish to have a formal determination, you can submit an application seeking a Certificate of Lawful Use or Development.  The fee for this type of application is £75. This is similar to a planning application except  that we only consider the proposal against the restrictions and conditions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2008 rather than planning policies. Hence the planning merits are not assessed and the notice confirms whether or not the works fall within permitted development rights.

Whilst such an application can take up to 8 weeks, we aim to issue a decision within 4 weeks of receiving the fee and registering the application. 

Last reviewed: 19 - 12 - 2011

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