Do I need permission?

Guide to Planning and Building Regulations

Unless you live in a flat or maisonette, there are many kinds of minor alterations and additions you can make to houses and gardens which do not need 'Planning Permission'. These are often referred to as 'Permitted Development'. However, the rules are complicated and the need or otherwise for 'Planning Permission' will depend on what you wish to do.

Help for common household and business projects

The following guides have been produced to help you understand the rules that apply with regard to Planning and Building Regulations and show some of the most common householder and business projects.

Click on a project to find guidance which will help you understand whether your chosen work may require any form of permission or certification.

Adverts	Flats	Outbuildings
Basements	Floors	Patios
Biomass	Flue	Paving Front Garden
Boilers	Fuel tanks	Porch
Bathrooms	Garage	Radio Antenna
Carport	Garage Conversion	Roof
Ceilings	Garden walls	Satellite Dishes
Change of use	Gates	Sewers
Chimneys	Gate Ornaments	Shed
Conservatories	Greenhouse	Shops and Changes of use
Decking	Heat Pumps	Signs
Decorations	Heating	Solar Panels
Demolition	Hedges	Summerhouse
Doors	High Hedges	Trees
Drains	Hydro Electricity	Television Antenna
Driveways	Insulation	Underpinning
Electrics	Internal Walls	Vent Pipes
Extensions	Kitchens	Windows
External Walls	Lighting	Wind Turbines
Fascias	Loft Conversion	Working from Home
Fences	Micro-CHP	Guidance to Home Energy Generation and 'greener' homes

Interactive guides and walkthroughs are also available to help guide you understand the rules that apply. Individual guides are available for household projects (including individual guides to Conservatories. loft conversions, extensions outbuildings and porches) in addition to Businesses and those living in terraced properties.

Building Regulations

The work you wish to do may require Building Regulations approval to ensure that standards of safety and construction are met.

Receiving any planning permission which your work may require or confirmation that your proposed work is 'Permitted Development' is not the same as taking action to ensure that it complies with the building regulations.

Learn more about the difference between Planning and Building Regulations

Your Responsibilities - It is your responsibility to apply for any Planning Permission, Listed Building Consent or Building Regulations approval that may be required for your proposed work.

If you build something which needs planning permission without obtaining permission first, you may be forced to put things right later which could prove troublesome and costly and you may have to demolish or remove any unauthorised works.

Learn more about your Planning and Building Control responsibilities

How can we help?

If you are unsure as to whether your proposed work requires a formal permission or approval, please download and complete a 'Do I need to submit an application?' enquiry form.

This form is designed to enable you to give us the information we need to advise you regarding both Planning and Building Control.

A version of the form is available for a variety of common projects.

Project	Enquiry form
Conservatories and Extensions	Form
Loft conversions	Form
Outbuildings	Form
Porches	Form
Hardstandings and Vehicle Access	Form
Gates, Walls and Fences	Form
Balconies, Verandahs and Decking	Form
Satellite and Microwave equipment	Form
Microgeneration equipment	Form

If your project is not included here or you are in doubt as to which form you need to complete, then please contact us or complete the full version of the 'Do I need to submit an application?' enquiry form.

Send you completed form to us at:

West Oxfordshire District Council, Planning Services, New Yatt Road, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 1PB.

We endeavour to respond as quickly as possible to your enquiry but aim to respond within 15 working days. You should always wait for a written reply before starting work.

Planning Guidance for Farmers

Some agricultural buildings and operations also enjoy 'Permitted Development' rights. The 'Farmers Guide to the Planning System' has been published by the Government and DEFRA, to help farmers understand the rules and guide them through the process.