Is Planning Permission Required?

Why is Planning Permission Needed?

The purpose of the planning system is to regulate and control the development and use of land in the public interest and to apply consistent principles and high standards of design and amenity for all types of development.

Good planning ensures that we get the right development, in the right place, at the right time. Planning should be a positive, proactive process, which operates in the public interest through a system of plan preparation and control over the development and use of land.

To achieve this, the country needs a transparent, flexible, predictable, efficient and effective planning system to produce the quality development needed to deliver sustainable development and secure sustainable communities.

The system is intended to regulate development proposals within a framework of legislation approved by Parliament.

Councils implement this legislative framework through the development control process which involves:-

  • processing and making decisions on planning applications
  • the use of enforcement powers to deal with breaches of planning control

Do I need Planning Permission?

The term 'development' refers to the carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operations in, on, over or under land, or the making of any material change in the use of any buildings or other land.

It does not include the carrying out of works for the maintenance, improvement or other alteration of any building, which affect only the interior of the building, or do not materially affect the external appearance of the building.

Most development requires planning permission although certain types of development are 'permitted development' which do not require planning permission.

For non householder development most proposals will require planning permission although some development to industrial buildings or development on agricultural land may be permitted development. For further advice contact the Development Control Team using the address details at the bottom of the page.

One of the most common types of permitted development relates to proposals to alter or extend dwellinghouses or to construct buildings within the gardens of dwellinghouses. This is known as householder development.

The regulations associated with householder development and the need for planning permission for a particular development are complex and so it is not easy to provide a quick answer to the 'Is Planning Permission Required?' question. There are, however, a number of methods to assist you in deciding whether or not you need planning permission. These methods are listed below with details regarding each on separate pages within this section. Please note that if you are seeking a written response from the council as to whether a householder development requires planning permission or not, a fee is payable.

The regulations Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (No.2) (England) Order 2008 may be found using the link below:

You will be more likely to require planning permission and possibly other permissions (see below) if your house is:

If you are unsure as to whether or not any of the above applies to your house please contact the Development Control Team at the address below.

Smoking Shelters

The Smoke-Free (Premises & Enforcement) Regulations 2006 came into force on 1st July 2007. If you wish to construct an extension or other free standing structure for use as a smoking shelter please read the

Other Permissions, Consents and Guidance

You may also require other permissions and consents from the Council such as:

  • Listed Building Consent
  • Conservation Area Consent
  • Application to work on trees with Tree Preservation Orders
  • Consent to Display an Advertisement
  • Building Regulations Consent

See Other Permissions, Consents and Guidance for more details.

  • Tel: 01253 891000
  • Fax: 01253 899000
  • Minicom: 01253 887636
  • Wyre Borough Council
    Civic Centre
    Breck Road
    Poulton-le-Fylde
    Lancashire
    FY6 7PU