Permitted Development
You can make certain types of minor changes to your house without needing to apply for planning permission, these are called "permitted development rights".
The Planning Portal has created a web page that features an interactive guide to help consumers to understand the new Permitted Development Rights. Users can simply click on the part of the house they are thinking of changing to find an explanation of the rules, see interactive guidance for householders or advice on common projects on the Planning Portal website.
In exceptional cases, permitted development rights may have been withdrawn from a property. In these circumstances, a planning application may be necessary, although no fee will be payable. To find out if this is the case please contact Development
Preliminary Enquiry Form for House Extensions and Alterations
If you would like to find out whether planning permission is required for a house extension or alteration, please complete and return a Householder Preliminary Enquiry Form (PDF: 142Kb / 6 pages) .There is a charge for this service and we will provide a written response based on the information provided advising of the requirement for planning permission and building regulations approval. This form should also be used to obtain Pre-application Planning Advice on extensions or alterations. Please note that this is not a planning application form.
The Planning Portal website has further information and general advice on planning permission, as well as a plan and map creator, fee calculator, carbon calculator and volume calculator see useful tools.
We also have a guide available on Residential Extensions (PDF 227Kb / 18 pages) .
Non-Residential Development
If your proposal is not in connection with a house extension or alteration, for example a business or commercial venture, we will require you to write to the Planning Department at Mansion House, Penrith with as much detail of the proposal as possible including a site location plan and sketch drawings to establish whether planning permission is required.
Permitted development rights are not available for farm or forestry dwellings, or for livestock units sited near residential and similar buildings. For further information there is an advice leaflet available 'General Planning Guidance for Farmers' (PDF: 48Kb / 2 pages)and GOV.UK has A farmer's guide to the planning system.
Change of Use
In addition to development, changes of use may require planning permission, for example a change of use from a shop to a dwelling or vice versa. Please contact development control for further details.
The Planning Portal lists the various use classes and has information on changes of use requiring and not requiring planning permission see change of use planning permission.
Further information can also be found in two Communities and Local Government documents:
The laws governing whether or not planning permission is required are complex, therefore it is always advisable to consult us prior to undertaking development to check whether planning permission is needed. If you are at all unsure about whether you need to apply for planning permission please contact development control. It is important to realise however that it is not always possible to tell you over the phone if planning permission is not required.
If you require planning permission please read the information regarding advice before making an application.
Contact Us
If you have any further queries about planning there is always a Duty Officer available during office hours: Monday-Friday -10am to 4pm
You can contact the duty officer by phone on 01768 817817 or in person at Mansion House. If you wish to contact a specific officer see development control contact information.
