When is a Planning Application necessary?

Planning permission is needed for any development, which is defined as:
"the carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operations in, on, or over or under land; or the making of any material change in the use of any building or other land".

That is a very wide definition and on the face of it, almost every kind of work done to land and buildings requires permission. However, using powers under the Town and Country Planning Act, the Secretary of State for the Environment has authorised permitted development; that is, development which can be carried out without permission from the local authority.

The laws that decide when you need to apply for planning permission can be very complicated so it is a good idea to contact us to check whether you need to apply before you start work.

We can let you know whether you need to apply for Planning Permission within 10 days. Fill in and return the Do I need Planning Permission? form (PDF 96.1kb) which will give us the information that we need to establish whether permission is required.

The full range of Permitted Development is detailed in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.

These notes are intended as a general guide. If you would like further information please contact the Customer Focus Team on email at planning@northwilts.gov.uk or by phoning 01249 706444