Find out about permitted development and if you need to apply for planning permission
Permitted Development
Many extensions and alterations to dwelling houses can be carried out without the need to apply for planning permission - known as "Permitted Development Rights". These rights are conferred by central government by means of legislation known as the "General Permitted Development Order" and are subject to change from time to time.
For the latest version see the Permitted Development For Householders Guide (251kb PDF File) from the Planning Portal.
Planning Portal
The Portal is a government website that provides advice on when an application for planning permission is required and what is 'Permitted Development'. A visual guide for householders can also be viewed on the Planning Portal. There is also a visual guide for householders in terrace houses.
You can also use the Portal to submit a planning application on-line or appeal against a planning decision.
Warning
Rights to extend or alter your house can, and often are, withdrawn by the local planning authority. This is particularly common within Conservation Areas (in order to prevent excessive and badly designed developments) and on modern estates (where even modest extensions may have the potential to unreasonably affect neighbouring occupiers). If you believe that planning permission is not required for your proposal it would be worthwhile checking with a planning officer whether permitted rights have been withdrawn and an application is necessary. If you require written confirmation that permission is not required for any particular development, you may apply for a Certificate of Lawful Development - see below.
Lawful Development Certificates
The system of Lawful Development Certificates enables Local Planning Authorities when the appropriate conditions are satisfied in each case to grant a certificate, saying that:
- An existing use of land, or some operational development, or some activity in breach of a planning condition is lawful; or
- A proposed use of buildings or other land, or some operations proposed to be carried out in, on, over or under land would be lawful.
The government has produced a User’s Guide to Lawful Development Certificates on the Communities.gov.uk website. Applications should be in writing using the appropriate forms and providing factual evidence to support the claim. It is recommended that discussions are carried out with the relevant Planning Case Officer before an application is submitted.
Vehicular Drop Crossings
Vehicular drop crossings require Planning Permission if the access is onto a classified road. This could be an A, B or C classification road. In order to determine if a road is classified please read the list of Stockport Classified Roads (96kb PDF file). Alternatively, contact the Planning Services Highways Section on 0161 474 4905. See the contact information below.
If the road is unclassified then Planning Permission is not needed for the access but the consent of the Highway Authority is still required before it is installed. To obtain this it is necessary to contact Streetscene on 0161 217 6111.
Request a dropped kerb or vehicle crossing.
External Wall Insulation Planning Requirements
The ten Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) within Greater Manchester want to work with Registered Providers, landlords and others carrying out improvements and external insulation works to ensure that they are carried out quickly and where possible without the need for planning permission.
This note (57kb PDF file) is intended to guide whether Local Planning Authorities should require planning permission for installation of External Wall Insulation (EWI).