Prior Approval: The Fastest Route to Planning Permission

Prior approval lets you convert offices, shops, and agricultural buildings without full planning permission. Here's how it works.

Prior approval is a streamlined planning process for certain types of development that the government has decided should be easier to deliver. It's faster and cheaper than full planning permission, with a narrower range of issues for the council to consider.

Common Prior Approval Routes

Office to Residential (Class MA)

Convert offices (Use Class E) to homes (Use Class C3). The building must have been in office use for at least 2 continuous years. The council can only consider:

Flooding
Transport and highways
Contamination
Natural light in habitable rooms
Fire safety
Noise from commercial premises

Agricultural to Residential (Class Q)

Convert agricultural buildings to up to 5 dwellings. The building must have been used for agriculture on 20 March 2013 or for 10 years before conversion. Size limit: 865m² total.

Larger Home Extensions (Class A)

Single-storey rear extensions up to 8m (detached) or 6m (other houses). The council only considers neighbour impact - if no objections are received and the council doesn't respond within 42 days, approval is deemed granted.

The Process

Submit a prior approval application (fee is typically lower than full planning)
The council has 56 days to make a decision (42 days for larger home extensions)
If the council doesn't respond in time, prior approval is deemed granted
The council can only refuse on the specific grounds listed for that class

Key Advantages

Faster - 56-day determination vs 8-13 weeks for full planning
Cheaper - lower application fees
Narrower assessment - council can't consider design, character, or policy compliance
Deemed consent - if the council misses the deadline, you have permission

Common Pitfalls

Building regulations still apply - prior approval doesn't exempt you from Building Regulations
CIL may still apply - check your council's CIL charging schedule
Conditions matter - prior approval often comes with conditions you must comply with
Not available everywhere - conservation areas, AONBs, and some other designated areas restrict certain permitted development rights
Time limits - you must start work within 3 years of the approval date