Residential planning
Once you have an idea of what changes you wish to make to your property, please use our interactive guides and examples of common building projects to help you find out if you need to apply for planning permission.
Common projects
If you are still not sure, we have produced self assessment forms below for you to use. If you can answer 'no' to all the questions and comply with all the conditions listed, then planning permission will not be required unless there are particular planning restrictions on your property. Details can be checked by viewing our online land charges map.
If you would like a legal determination confirming that the proposed work/development does not require planning permission you should complete an application for Certificate of Lawfulness as Proposed and submit the application along with supporting documentation and relevant fee to Uttlesford District Council London Road Saffron Walden Essex CB11 4ER or submit on-line at www.planningportal.gov.uk
Remember, that if you build something which needs planning permission without obtaining permission first, you may be forced to make changes later. This could prove problematic and sometimes costly and may even result in legal action to require removal of the Planning enforcement.
Self-assessment forms and notes
Project | Notes | Form |
Chimneys, flues, soil and vent pipes | If you live in a Conservation Area you will also need to apply for permission if the proposal would be installed on a wall or roof slope that fronts a highway and is either the principal or a side elevation of the house. |
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Cladding | If you live in a Conservation Area, you will need to apply for planning permission before cladding the outside of your house with stone, tiles, artificial stone, plastic, timber, render or pebble dash. Outside of a Conservation Area planning permission will be required if the materials used in any exterior work are not of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the exterior of the existing dwelling house. | No self-assessment form |
Driveways | There are controls over hard surfaces such as driveways, aimed at reducing water run-off which contributes to flooding. Planning permission will generally be required for the impermeable surfacing of front gardens of areas that are more than 5 square metres. Guidance in respect of the types of surfacing that are permitted can be found on the Communities and Local Government website. | No self-assessment form |
Dropped kerbs and crossovers | Planning permission will not be required for a dropped kerb if the two criteria below are met:
If you are unsure whether the road where you are proposing the dropped kerb is an A, B or C classified road then you should contact the Highway Authority 08457 430 430. Irrespective of whether you require planning permission for a dropped kerb, consent will always be required from Essex County Council as Highway Authority for a drop kerb or pavement/verge crossing. An application will need to be made to the County Council for a licence to construct the vehicle access. | No self-assessment form |
Fences, walls and gates | You will need to apply for planning permission if any of the following cases apply:
You will not need to apply for planning permission to take down a fence, wall, or gate, or to alter or improve an existing fence, wall or gate (no matter how high) if you don't increase its height. In a Conservation area, however, you will need Conservation Area Consent to take down a fence, wall or gate where it would have required planning permission. | No self-assessment form |
Internal alterations | Internal alterations do not require planning permission as they are not classed as development. Search Building Control applications consent may however be required, and Listed Building Consent will be required if your property is listed. | No self-assessment form |
Maintenance | You do not need to apply for planning permission for repairs or maintenance, including minor improvements, such as painting your house or replacing windows. You also do not need permission to re-roof your house, however additions to the roof are treated as extensions (see below). | No self-assessment form |
Extending and altering the roof | Do I need planning permission for my dormer window or roof extension? If you answer YES (to any question) you WILL require planning permission. |
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Extensions and additions | Do I need planning permission for my house extension? If you answer YES (to any question) you WILL require planning permission. | |
Outbuilding and structures | Do I need planning permission for my outbuilding? If you answer YES (to any question) you WILL require planning permission. | |
Porches | Do I need planning permission for my porch, hard surface, chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe? If you answer YES (to any question) you WILL require planning permission. | |
Renewable energy microgeneration equipment | This form includes ground source heat pumps, water source heat pumps and flues for biomass heating systems or combined heat and power systems. |
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Satellite dishes | Normal domestic TV and radio aerials do not need planning permission. However in certain circumstances e.g. Heritage and conservation, you will need to apply for planning permission to install a satellite dish or antenna on your house. | |
Solar panels | Do I need planning permission for my solar energy microgeneration equipment? If you answer YES (to any question) you WILL require planning permission. |
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Windows | If the window projects beyond an existing wall (such as a bay window), this is treated as an extension and is subject to the same restrictions as Extensions and Additions. If the window you want to insert is an upper-floor window in the side elevation of the house then it must be obscure glazed and non-opening (unless the opening parts of the window are more than 1.7 metres above floor level). | No self-assessment form |
Working from home | You do not necessarily need planning permission to work from home. The key test is whether the overall character of the property will change as a result of the business. If the answer to any of the following questions is "yes", then permission will probably be required:
| No self-assessment form |
