FAQs

Q: How long should it take to decide whether to grant permission?

The statutory determination period for validated planning applications , which local planning authorities should not exceed, is 8 weeks for straight-forward planning applications , 13 weeks for unusually large or complex applications , and 16 weeks if the application is subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Failure to determine the application within these deadlines means that the applicant can choose to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate on the grounds of non-determination. Local planning authorities have to inform applicants of these rights. See " Determining a planning application " on the government website which sets out the process and expectations on planning performance and decision making.

Q: Is it possible to make changes after receiving planning permission?

It is possible to make changes after receiving planning permission and there are a number of options for this; Non-material amendments - for very minor changes that do not materially alter the size and scale of the development Minor material amendments - for less minor changes whose scale and nature results in a development which is not substantially different from the one which has been approved. Time limit extensions - to change the expiry date of a planning permission For more information on whether you can amend a submitted planning application, visit the Planning Portal website.

Q: Can I appeal against an Enforcement Notice?

There are seven statutory grounds of appeal against an Enforcement Notice; these are: That planning permission ought to be granted, or the condition or limitation should be discharged; That the alleged breach of planning control has not occurred; That the matters alleged (if they occurred) do not constitute a breach of planning control; At the date that the Enforcement Notice was issued, no enforcement action could be taken; Copies of the Enforcement Notice were not served in accordance with the Statutory Requirements; The steps required by the notice to be taken, or the activities required by the notice to cease, exceed what is necessary either to remedy any breach of planning control or to remedy any injury to amenity which has been caused by any such breach; and/or, Any period specified in the notice falls short of what should reasonably be allowed. Visit the government website for further guidance on the appeal of an enforcement notice.

Q: I have received an Enforcement Notice, what should I do?

It is an offence to fail to comply with an Enforcement Notice, once the time limit has been reached and no appeal is outstanding. A person found guilty of an offence is liable to an unlimited fine, and the courts will take account of any financial benefit stemming from the offence. You should immediately obtain professional advice. The local council does not have to take enforcement action, as it is a discretionary power. An enforcement notice should only be issued if it is in the public interest to do so, and if it is the most expedient way to resolve the breach of planning control. Consult the Government website for further guidance on enforcement and post-permission matters .

Q: I have received a Planning Contravention Notice, what should I do?

A failure to complete or return a notice within 21 days is an offence, as is providing false or misleading information on the notice. You should immediately obtain professional advice. The local council will only issue a Planning Contravention Notice when they believe a breach of planning control has taken place and they want to obtain further information before they decide whether (or if) to take planning enforcement action. Issuing a Planning Contravention Notice is discretionary; a local council doesn’t have to issue one before taking enforcement action. Consult the Government's website for more information on planning contravention notices .

Do I need planning permission for an outbuilding?

[email protected]2024-05-28T17:01:14+00:00January 4th, 2020|

How long should it take to decide whether to grant permission?

[email protected]2024-05-28T17:01:54+00:00December 19th, 2019|

Is it possible to make changes after receiving planning permission?

[email protected]2019-12-31T00:31:23+00:00December 19th, 2019|

What are grounds for objecting to planning permission?

[email protected]2024-05-28T16:45:22+00:00December 19th, 2019|

Can I appeal against an Enforcement Notice?

[email protected]2019-12-31T00:40:46+00:00December 18th, 2019|

I have received an Enforcement Notice, what should I do?

[email protected]2021-10-01T14:44:10+00:00December 18th, 2019|

I have received a Planning Contravention Notice, what should I do?

[email protected]2021-10-01T14:42:24+00:00December 18th, 2019|

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