Journey
Planning permission for new development
A complete guide to getting planning permission for your first development project, from understanding when you need permission to navigating conditions and obligations.
Getting planning permission: the full picture
Planning permission is the legal consent you need from your local planning authority (LPA) before you can carry out most types of development. This journey takes you through the entire process, from checking whether you need permission to managing your conditions after approval.
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Check if you need planning permission
Not all development needs planning permission. Some changes are allowed under permitted development rights, saving you time and application fees.
Planning permission: when your business needs it
Understand when planning permission is required and when it is not
Understanding permitted development rights
Changes you can make without full planning permission, including Class E flexibility and prior approval
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Prepare your application
A well-prepared application is more likely to succeed and less likely to suffer validation delays. Start with pre-application advice, then assemble your supporting documents.
Get pre-application advice
How to use pre-application advice to improve your chances of approval
Apply for planning permission
Step-by-step guide to submitting your planning application
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Understand your obligations
Depending on the scale of your development, you may need to meet obligations beyond just the planning permission itself. These include Section 106 agreements, Community Infrastructure Levy, and biodiversity net gain.
Navigate Section 106 agreements
How to negotiate and manage planning obligations for your development
Community Infrastructure Levy explained
What CIL is, whether you need to pay, and how to claim exemptions
Meet biodiversity net gain requirements
Delivering the mandatory 10% biodiversity net gain for your development
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After permission is granted
Getting planning permission is not the end of the process. You must discharge conditions before starting work and comply with ongoing requirements throughout development.
Understanding planning conditions
The different types of conditions attached to your permission and what they mean
Discharge planning conditions
How to formally discharge conditions before you can start building
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If your application is refused
A refusal is not the end. You have options including amending and resubmitting, or appealing to the Planning Inspectorate.
Respond to planning refusal
Options when your planning application is refused
Make a planning appeal
How to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate if you believe the refusal was wrong