How to make a planning application

If you want to carry out any building work or alterations to your property you may need to apply for planning permission and/or a building warrant.

Building warrants and planning permission are entirely separate legal requirements. They apply to different aspects of building development work. It is important that you check to see if you need either or both of them. 

Planning permission

Planning is concerned with how a development looks, how it fits in with its surroundings, its effect on the local neighbourhood and community, its effect on traffic and on the historic and natural environment.

Building warrant approval

Building standards covers structural stability, fitness of materials, damp proofing, sound insulation, conservation of fuel and power, drainage, ventilation, health and safety aspects, energy efficiency, emergency escape routes, ease of access and facilities for the disabled.

Always check what you need

Not everything that requires planning permission needs a building warrant approval, and vice versa. You must always check with our Planning and Building Standards office to see which you need.