Planning permission - when to apply

When you need to apply

You'll need to apply for planning permission to:

• add to or extend a flat or maisonette, including those converted from houses
• divide part of your house for use as a separate home (for example, a self-contained flat or bed-sit)
• use a building or caravan in your garden as a separate residence for someone else
• build a separate house in your garden
• build something which isn't allowed under the original planning permission for your house (like, a planning condition imposed to stop you building a wall or fence in the front garden because the house is in an ''open plan'' estate)

You can discuss your planning proposals with the council planning office for your area before you apply. 

• Planning offices in Northern Ireland

When you don't need to apply

You can make certain minor changes to your home without planning permission. You have 'permitted development rights' to fit an alarm or build walls and fences below a certain height. 

Under permitted development rights, you don't need planning permission for certain works. But these works must meet certain conditions. For example, there are dimension restrictions when building an extension

To check if the work you are planning is allowed, contact the council planning office for your area. 

• Planning offices in Northern Ireland

Areas of special interest (designated areas)

If you live in a designated area, your permitted development rights are restricted. You'll need to apply for planning permission to make changes or do certain works:

• to a listed building
• in a conservation area
• in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

More useful links

• The planning system
• Planning appeals
• Building regulations
• Making a planning application