Do I need planning permission? (householder permitted development advice)
- Check if you need planning permission
- Permitted development advice
- Charges and response time
- Documents needed to submit your enquiry
- Disclaimer
- Consents other than planning
Apply for permitted development advice
Check if you need planning permission
Some minor works can be carried out without requiring planning permission. These are subject to certain conditions and limits and are known as permitted development rights (PD).
The Planning Portal can help assess whether your proposed works need planning permission. Their useful information includes:
- Interactive property guides. Help with planning and building rules for various house types. Plus mini guides for conservatories, extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings and porches.
- Common projects. Details planning and building rules and permitted development limits for over 50 common projects. Includes extensions, loft conversions and outbuildings to kitchens, windows and fences.
- Home improvement. Advice and interactive guides to steer and support your project from planning to completion. From replacing a window or adding an outbuilding to embarking on a self-built home project.
- Your responsibilities. Guidance on the necessary permissions and considerations before you start work.
- Glossary of planning terms. Useful terms to help you navigate the Planning Portal.
The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government offers permitted development technical guidance.
Depending on what work you are doing you might also need building regulations approval for proposed alterations and development. You can get further advice about the differences between planning and building control on the Planning Portal.
If you are satisfied that the works you are planning fall within permitted development and no other consents are required, then you can start work. If you would like formal confirmation you can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate. This is a legally binding document which may be required if you come to sell your property in the future.
Prior approval
Certain rear extensions need prior approval before starting work. You can find details of these on the Planning Portal.
Restrictions
Restrictions could prevent permitted development works at certain properties. These can include:
- Article 4 directions
- conservation areas
- listed buildings
In some cases permitted development rights may be removed. This means you will have to submit a planning application for work which normally does not need one. To check whether any restrictions apply to your property email planning@gateshead.gov.uk.
Permitted development advice
If you're still unsure after the guidance above, use our permitted development advice service.
We only accept online submissions via our online form. We are unable to give advice over the phone or by email as we will not be able to get all the information we need to make our assessment. You will need to make a payment when you submit your form so you will need a debit or credit card.
Please be aware that any response is informal. If you need a legal determination you should submit a Lawful Development Certificate via the Planning Portal.
Charges and response time
The fee for our permitted development advice service is £32 including VAT. Our target response time is 30 working days.
There will be no charge if you are:
- disabled and seeking advice to adapt your property to meet your needs due to your disability
- making the application on behalf of an internal project funded by the council
Documents needed to submit your enquiry
To receive advice you must complete our online form. This includes a written description of the works you propose to do. The quality of information we receive from you affects the advice we provide.
You will also need to supply site plans and extra information as part of your enquiry. If you do not submit these documents your enquiry may be invalid and could lead to delays.
Please provide plans in PDF format. We cannot accept photographs or mobile phone scans of your plans. You must provide an electronic or scanned copy to the original size and scale of the document.
| Mandatory upload | |
Site location plan (scale of 1:1250 or 1:2500 (larger sites) with the whole application site edged in red any other land owned in blue. Should you need to purchase a plan the Planning Portal offer a buying a planning map service |  |
Proposed site plan, indicating the proposed development at a scale of 1:100 or 1:200. Include existing buildings, boundary treatments, access, parking, trees and hedgerows (where applicable) | |
Floor plans and elevations of the proposed development. Drawn to a scale of 1:100 or 1:50 (if not to scale then they should include full written metric dimensions) | |
Photographs of the site (if available) |
Disclaimer
We can identify issues and provide comments on your proposals. We cannot help draw up the plans or recommend companies to you.
The information given is the informal advice of the officer only. It is not binding to any formal decision taken on any formal planning application you may submit. This includes decisions by the Planning and Development Committee.
Failure to provide relevant and necessary information may invalidate your application.
Consents other than planning
Our pre-application advice relates only to issues relating to planning. Your development may need consent under other legislation such as: