Planning guidance 

Do I need to apply for planning permission?

Some developments within the boundary of a single family dwelling house do not require planning permission. The regulations which apply to householder developments changed on 1st October 2008.

Check the interactive householder guide to see if you need to apply for planning

Note that these exemptions apply only to single family dwelling houses, not to flats or maisonettes.

You may, however, need to apply for approval under the building regulations.

Planning control policy notes

The following documents provide the council's guidance on particular types of development:

• Planning Guidance - Summary
• Planning Guidance - Health and wellbeing
• Planning Guidance - Space around dwellings
• Planning Guidance - Shop fronts and security shutters
• Planning Guidance - Display of signs and advertisements
• Planning Guidance - Trees - protection and planting
• Planning Guidance - Children's play within residential developments
• Planning Guidance - Location of restaurants and bars in urban areas
• Planning Guidance - Planning out crime
• Planning Guidance - Conversion of dwellings
• Planning Guidance - Residential and nursing homes for the elderly
• Planning Guidance - Conversion of traditional buildings in the countryside
• Planning Guidance - Floodlighting
• Planning Guidance - Nature conservation
• Planning Guidance - Provision for cyclists
• Planning Guidance - Conservation areas
• Planning Guidance - Listed buildings
• Planning Guidance - Highway considerations
• Planning Guidance - Provision of public art
• Planning Guidance - Telecommunications
• Planning Guidance - Housing developments
• Planning Guidance - Equestrian developments
• Planning Guidance - Education

Supplementary Planning Documents

The council is replacing older planning guidance documents with newer style 'Supplementary Planning Documents', often referred to as SPDs. These also provide detailed guidance on specific sites or topic areas. The full suite can be viewed on the Supplementary planning documents page. Links to popular documents are provided below:

• House extensions
• Affordable housing

Other guidance 

• Provision of new public car parks
• St. Helena development opportunity area brief: Central Street  
• Town centre car parking interim statement
• External solid wall insulation planning requirements
• Think sprinkler - GM Fire safety advice
    

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