Prior approval for permitted development
Generally it is up to a local planning authority to decide whether to allow a particular development or not. However, in England and Wales, the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 enables central government to permit certain types of developments known as ‘permitted developments’. These are generally minor changes to existing properties.
In certain cases, even though a development is permitted, prior approval of some issues is required from the local authority. This includes:
- Specific issues to do with agricultural land, such as the purpose, siting and design of agricultural buildings as well as the construction of a private way, the siting of excavation or deposit or the siting and appearance of tanks.
- Similar issues for land used for the purposes of forestry.
- Erection of plant, machinery, buildings, or structures on land used as a mine.
- The demolition of a building.
- Siting and appearance of telecommunications masts.
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2013 came into force on 30 May 2013. It amends the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. Some of these amendments permit development only with prior approval of certain aspects or beyond certain sizes:
- Rear extensions up to 8m in depth for detached properties and 6m for attached properties until 30 May 2016. If a neighbor objects, prior approval is required to assess the impact of the proposed development on the amenity of any adjoining premises.
- Change of use class from office to residential.
- Change of use class to a state-funded school, from classes B1 (business), C1 (hotels), C2 (residential institutions), C2A (secure residential institutions) and D2 (assembly and leisure).
- Change of use class from an agricultural building to a flexible use falling within either Class A1 (shops), Class A2 (financial and professional services), Class A3 (restaurants and cafes), Class B1 (business), Class B8 (storage or distribution), Class C1 (hotels) or Class D2 (assembly and leisure).
The procedures for seeking prior approval are set out in the legislation.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Article 4 direction.
- Avoiding planning permission pitfalls.
- Change of use class.
- Class Q permitted development.
- Planning permission.
- Permitted development.
- The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2013.
- The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.
- Use class.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.
The 2025 draft NPPF in brief with indicative responses
Local verses National and suitable verses sustainable: Consultation open for just over one week.
Increased vigilance on VAT Domestic Reverse Charge
HMRC bearing down with increasing force on construction consultant says.
Call for greater recognition of professional standards
Chartered bodies representing more than 1.5 million individuals have written to the UK Government.