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Most people only come across planning when they either submit a planning application or they are concerned about works being proposed by a neighbour. However, large or small a proposal is the same criteria apply and the same process needs to be gone through.
Do I need planning permission ?
If you live in a house, you can make certain types of minor changes to your home without needing to apply for planning permission. These are called "permitted development rights". However other works and alterations may require planning permission. Please note that irrespective of whether planning permission is required, approval under Building Regulations may be required, as they are two separate matters.
The Government intends to make significant changes to the Permitted Development regime on 1st October 2008. More information will be published here when available, but until then you can view the proposed changes on the Planning Portal.
The following pages advise you on the need for planning permission and the kind of works which can be carried out as “permitted development”:
If the common types of development listed do not cover what you wish to do, you should discuss your proposals with the planning department. The advice contained in the links above is available in the document Do I Need Planning Permission - Advice Note (93 kb, PDF), or as a leaflet from Council offices.
A planning application will usually be required if:
- The proposal works involve a flat/maisonette and affect the buildings appearance.
- “Permitted Development” rights have been removed on your property by a condition imposed on a planning permission or by an “Article 4 Direction”. This is usually the case on barn conversions, houses on restricted sites or in a particular high quality area or on ‘open-plan’ estates where the erection of fences and walls are restricted.
- The property is not exclusively a single family dwelling house, e.g. it is a mixed commercial/residential premises.
- The works to be carried out are not within the residential curtilage, usually the garden area of the property.
- If your house is a Listed Building, then Listed Building Consent may also be required.
Householder Development Walkthrough Guide
For more information regarding householder development the Planning Portal Website (external website) provides an easy to use walkthrough guide regarding whether planning permission is required.
Please note that Macromedia Flash 5 is required to use the locator.
Volume Calculator
The Volume Calculator, provided by The Planning Portal (external website), can assist you by working out the cost of any particular planning application. It takes the form of a series of 'yes or no' answers from which data is compiled to calculate the total cost. The calculator is a 'standalone' tool and does not have to be used in conjunction with any other portal service. Please note that whilst every effort is taken to ensure that the volume has been calculated correctly, the determination of whether the volume is correct is the responsibility of Warwick District Council.
In doubt whether Planning Permission is required?
If planning permission is required, an application to the Council must be made. Application forms and a set of scaled drawings must be submitted with the appropriate fee - Applying for Planning Permission.
If you do not think permission is required, you can fill in a form, Do I Need Planning Permission Form (55kb, PDF), which is also obtainable from the Council offices, to gain an informal opinion on whether planning permission is required.
If you are in any doubt about whether you need to apply, you should consult the Development Control Section of the Planning Department. We will usually give you advice but, if you want to obtain a formal legal decision on whether you need planning permission you can apply, on payment of a fee, for a "lawful development certificate".
Information about applications for lawful development certificates can be viewed using the Planning Application Search facility. With written "Permitted Development" enquiries, as of January 2007 these are being logged onto our application database so that
- receipt of a written enquiry will be revealed if a search is made on a particular address or property and
- the Council's response whether planning permission is required or not will also be shown.
Remember that if you build something which needs planning permission without obtaining permission first, you may be forced to put things right later. This could prove problematic and sometimes costly and may even result in legal action to require removal of the unauthorised works.
Working from home
You do not necessarily need planning permission to work from home. The key test is whether the overall character of the dwelling will change as a result of the business. For more advice regarding working from home please go to the following link page:
Good Design of Residential Extensions
If planning permission is required, advice on the good design of residential extensions and alterations can be found on the following link. This page gives general advice, together with advice on the Council's 45 Degree Code and Distance Separation Guidelines:
Further Information
For further advice you should contact the Development Control Section of the Planning Department.
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