What Is Planning Permission in the UK?

Planning permission is the formal approval you need from your local council before making certain changes to a building or piece of land.

What is planning permission?

Planning permission is the formal consent granted by your local planning authority (usually your council) that allows you to build something new, make major changes to an existing building, or change how a building or piece of land is used.

The planning system exists to manage development across England and Wales, making sure that new buildings and changes to existing ones are appropriate for their location, don't harm the environment, and consider the needs of the wider community.

When do you need planning permission?

You generally need planning permission for:

• Building a new house or other structure
• Making major alterations to your home (large extensions, adding extra storeys)
• Changing the use of a building (e.g. converting a shop into a home)
• Building in a conservation area, near a listed building, or in a national park
• Work that significantly affects your neighbours or the street scene

Some smaller projects fall under permitted development rights, meaning you don't need to apply. But it's always worth checking with your council first.

How the planning system works

The planning system in England and Wales is governed by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Local councils (known as Local Planning Authorities) are responsible for deciding most planning applications in their area.

When you submit a planning application, the council considers several factors:

• The local plan - the council's own policies for development in the area
• National planning policy - the government's National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
• Impact on neighbours - will the development cause loss of light, privacy, or other issues?
• Design and appearance - does the proposal fit in with the surrounding area?
• Environmental impact - could the development harm protected habitats, trees, or heritage assets?

Types of planning permission

There are several types of planning consent:

• Full planning permission - detailed approval for a specific development proposal
• Outline planning permission - approval in principle, with details to follow (see outline vs full permission)
• Householder planning permission - for alterations and extensions to a single dwelling
• Listed building consent - required for changes to listed buildings, in addition to planning permission

How long does planning permission last?

Once granted, planning permission typically lasts for three years. If you don't start work within that time, you'll need to apply again. For more detail, see our guide on how long planning permission takes.

Key facts

• Planning permission is required for most building work in England and Wales
• Your local council's planning department decides applications
• Decisions are based on local and national planning policies
• Permission usually lasts three years from the date it's granted
• You can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate if your application is refused

Next steps

Use Planning Signal's postcode search to see what planning applications have been submitted near you, or browse by council to understand planning activity in your area.