Householders' guide to planning

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This section focuses on those applications where the work is to a domestic dwelling, commonly known as ‘householder applications’.

The Development Management service make planning decisions in the interests of the local community. We guide development to the most appropriate places and ensure that the design, appearance and layout of proposals are suitable for their surroundings.

• A Step by Step guide to planning - a general a step-by-step guide that you can use to clarify whether your proposal requires planning permission to help you with submitting your planning application.
• What is Planning permission? - This page explains what planning is and what guidelines and information the planning department uses .
• Do i need planning permission? This page has helpful information to help you determine if you need planning permission.
• Will I get planning permission - Pre application advice - information on getting pre application advice and how this can help with your application.
• The Process of a planning application - the main stages and processes we go through when determining a planning application.
• Applying for planning permission - detailed advice about what sort of information we need you to submit with your planning application
• Permitted development -what permitted developments rights are and some of the work that you can do without needing planning permission
• Running a business from home - details about if you might need planning permission to work from home.
• Planning advice for neighbours - information for neighbours on how they can view proposals in their area, how to comment on them and what sort of objections you can make to planning applications
• Historic environment - information on listed buildings, conservation area's trees and hedges and other aspects of the historic environment.

You may have what’s called permitted development rights. This means that you may be able to carry out work without the need for planning permission, but you should always check with us to ensure this is the case, you can fill out a Do i need planning permission 533kb to check this. If this is the case you should still check with Building Control to establish if the work needs their approval.

Some buildings are also known as ‘listed’ because of their special historic or architectural interest. If you need to check if a building is listed you can check on our online mapping systems or contact the Conservation & Heritage section who will be able to confirm if your property is listed and what planning requirements apply. In almost all cases when doing works to listed buildings you will need to apply for ‘listed building consent’, which is a form of planning permission. In some cases you will need both planning permission and listed building consent for a project.

We have also linked this in with the building regulations application process. This deals mainly with the construction of the works, ensuring that it complies with the national building regulations.

Last updated: 28 June 2011