Author Archives: admin

New government rules have just been introduced allowing changes of use without having to make a full planning application. A change of use of an agricultural building and the land around it to residential is now allowed, together with the … Continue reading →

Government guidance, used for deciding planning applications and appeals and for making plans, has been revamped and published on a new website. The interactive guidance replaces 7,000 pages of documents some of which went back to the 1970s and 80s. … Continue reading →

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a tax on development imposed by some councils when planning permission is given. Changes came into effect on 24 February taking self-build houses and domestic annexes and extensions out of the scope of the tax. … Continue reading →

The government is carrying out consultation until 15 October on allowing certain additional changes of use without having to make a planning application. These are: Change of use and associated works from small shop or professional/financial services (A1 and A2 … Continue reading →

New rules come into effect on 25 June intended to simplify planning applications. Currently, design and access statements are required for many applications, including small-scale ones.  In future, only major applications – for example, 10 or more dwellings or buildings … Continue reading →

The government has announced it is to reduce technical guidance on planning permission issues. Accepting the recommendations of a review carried out last year, the government is to publish reduced guidance and, at the same time, abolish existing guidance. The … Continue reading →

Regulations due to come into effect on 30 May will allow larger extensions to homes (as well as offices and shops) without needing to submit a planning application. The additional size limits will go from 4 to 8 metres for … Continue reading →

A number of new automatic planning permission rights are due to come into force on 30 May. Change of use of existing office buildings to homes will be allowed. This right will not apply to specified parts of 17 councils’ … Continue reading →

The Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 became law on 25 April. Permitted development rules are being changed to allow ‘uncontentious, small-scale extensions’ to be built without a planning application, subject to consultation with neighbours (see subsequent post). Information requirements for … Continue reading →