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Do I need planning permission?

Householder alterations and additions

Unless you live in a flat or maisonette, there are many kinds of minor alterations and additions you can make to houses and gardens for which you do not need to apply for 'Planning Permission'. These are often referred to as 'Permitted Development'.

However, whether your proposed work is 'Permitted Development' or will require 'Planning Permission' will depend on what you wish to do and is not exclusive to building work, for example, the laying of hard-standing may require planning permission, depending on the area it is to cover, the material used to create it and the provision for surface water run-off.

A self help guide for householders can be found on the planning portal, which will guide you through some common projects and help you understand what work is considered to be 'Permitted Development'. There is also an interactive guide. However, the rules are complicated and we welcome written enquiries upon which we can provide written advice.

Take care! - It is your responsibility for seeking, or not seeking planning permission. If required, planning permission should be granted before works begin. 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.

How can we help?

The rules regarding Permitted Development are complicated so we are unable to advise over the telephone whether the work you propose will require planning permission. We may also need to visit the site to gather information before we can give you an answer.

So please write to us, detailing the work you wish to do. A 'Guidance note for PD Enquiries' has been prepared to help you give us the information we require in order to answer your enquiry.

Send your information to West Oxfordshire District Council, Planning Services, New Yatt Road, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 1PB.

We aim to inform you whether or not your proposal requires planning permission within 15 working days, although it may take longer in complex cases. You should always wait for a written reply before starting work.

Building Regulations

The work you wish to do may also require Building Regulations approval to ensure that standards of safety and construction are met. This is a separate matter and we will send a copy of your enquiry to our Building Control Team who will reply directly to you. You should await their written reply also, before starting work.

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 Permission and Building Regulations.

Guidance for Businesses

A self help guide for businesses, including a guide to common types of planning application, change of use and advertisement consent can also be found on the Planning Portal, along with a guide to the planning system.

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.