Building and Planning

I have received a planning notice. What do I do now?

Find out what the application is for and who made it – should be basic information available on the actual notice – if you need more then you will need to contact the council, quoting the planning application number, who will then be able to show you a copy of the full application together with any plans, drawings etc – the council will be able to discuss any technical issues with you if required – then, once you have all the information, you will be able to make a reasonable decision as to whether you support or oppose the application.

Other frequently asked questions

	What is the difference between planning and building regulation consent?
	Building Regulation Approval is required whenever new structures are built or existing ones are altered.
	Does the work I am doing need planning consent?
	Not all work requires planning consent. You do not usually need it for internal changes to buildings, or
	I have hired a company to do some building work. They say that they do not need to contact the Local Authority to check the work. Is this right?
	Several industry self-assessment schemes have been set up and these are designed to reduce pressure on
	Does the work I am doing need building regulation consent?
	To determine whether the work you are doing requires building regulation consent you must first
	Does my conservatory need building regulation consent?
	The very first thing to establish is whether what you are building actually is a conservatory.  Th
	Does my conservatory need building regulation consent?
	The very first thing to establish is whether what you are building actually is a conservatory.  Th
	What is FENSA?
	Fenestration Self-Assessment scheme – industry self-certification scheme for glass and windows – set up
	What is CORGI?
	CORGI is the gas safety watchdog – set up in 1970 to help reduce the number of fatalities caused by
	What is a competent person?
	A person or company registered as a competant person with a relevent professional body. This means that
	I have paid my friend to do some work to my house, but he is not a member of an industry scheme. Is this a problem?
	There is no legal requirement to employ a competent person. To cut costs you may employ someone who is
	What is a Listed Building?
	Some buildings are listed because they are considered to be of special architectural or historical inte
	What is Listed Building Consent?
	Listed building consent is required to carry out work to a Listed Building which will affect its special
	What is a Conservation Area?
	Conservation areas are defined in the Civic Amenities Act 1967 as “areas of special architectural or
	What is a Tree Preservation Order (TPO)?
	Order made to protect a tree. It makes it an offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or
	My neighbour is building an extension and I want to stop him. What can I do about it?
	Can only really object if the extension requires planning consent – if the extension is cont
	I want to build an extension on to my property. Can I do this?
	It depends – main issue is planning consent: first determine if the work you are doing does
	The local authority has contacted me threatening enforcement action over my extension. What do I do?
	Should immediately stop any work. You will need to consider whether the council’s threat is valid
	I am installing a bathroom. Do I need planning or building regulation consent?
	Generally installing a bathroom suite would not require either Planning or Building Regulation Consent.
	I am installing some new windows. Do I need planning or building regulation consent?
	You will not require Planning Consent for the installation of new windows, unless of course the property