Guide

Local authority approvals for new businesses

How to navigate local council departments when setting up business premises. Covers planning permission, building control, environmental health, licensing, and business rates, including the order in which to approach each department.

UK-wide

When you set up a business in physical premises, you may need approvals from several local council departments. Each department handles different requirements, and some approvals take longer than others. Getting the sequence right avoids delays and wasted costs.

This guide explains which council departments to contact, what each one covers, and the order in which to approach them.

Recommended order of contact

Approach council departments in this order to avoid doing work that later proves unnecessary.

  1. 1. Planning department: check your use class

    Before signing a lease or buying premises, confirm your intended business activity is permitted under the premises' current planning use class. If you need a change of use, apply for planning permission first as this can take 8 to 13 weeks and may be refused.

  2. 2. Building control: check for structural changes

    If you plan any structural alterations, extensions, or changes to fire safety provisions, contact building control. Building regulations approval is separate from planning permission and both may be needed. Allow 5 to 8 weeks for a full plans application.

  3. 3. Environmental health: register your activities

    If you handle food, create noise, produce emissions, or store hazardous materials, contact environmental health. Food businesses must register at least 28 days before trading. Environmental health may also inspect your premises before you open.

  4. 4. Licensing: apply for any required licences

    If you sell alcohol, provide entertainment, or offer late-night refreshment, apply for a premises licence. Allow 2 to 3 months for the application including the 28-day consultation period. Some councils combine licensing and environmental health functions.

  5. 5. Business rates: notify the Valuation Office Agency

    When you occupy commercial premises, the Valuation Office Agency assesses your rateable value. Contact your council to set up your business rates account and check whether you qualify for small business rates relief.

Business rates and relief

Business rates apply to most non-domestic properties. The amount you pay depends on your property's rateable value, set by the Valuation Office Agency. Several relief schemes may reduce what you owe.

What if you need multiple approvals

Many businesses need approvals from more than one department. A restaurant, for example, may need planning permission for change of use, food business registration, a premises licence for alcohol, and a business rates account.

Some councils offer a single point of contact for new businesses. Ask your council's economic development team whether they provide a pre-application advisory service. This can save considerable time by coordinating across departments.

If an application is refused, you can usually appeal. Planning refusals go to the Planning Inspectorate. Licensing refusals can be appealed to the Magistrates' Court within 21 days.

Fire safety duties for Northern Ireland businesses

Your fire safety obligations as an appropriate person under the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. Covers the fire risk assessment requirement, fire safety measures, NIFRS enforcement powers, and penalties. Northern Ireland has separate fire safety legislation from England, Wales, and Scotland.

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Fire safety duties for Scottish businesses

Your fire safety obligations as a duty holder under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005. Covers the shared responsibility model, fire risk assessments, SFRS enforcement powers, and penalties. Scotland has different fire safety law from England and Wales.

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