Planning Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
The Planning Portal has created interactive guides to illustrate
the changes.
View
interactive Guides
Certain buildings and building works are considered by the
Department of Communities and Local Government to be exempt from
the requirements of the Building Regulations and may also not
require planning permission. In such cases you may build without
approval under the Building Regulations or submitting a planning
application.
It would be advisable before proceeding to notify the Council
(both Building Control and Development Control Sections) with
written details and sketches of your proposals. They will then
confirm if the work is exempt and you could keep that with the
details of your property for future reference in the event of proof
being required upon the sale of your property or for any other
reason.
You can check if you need Planning Permission by completing a
Householder
Extensions Enquiry Form 
(56K) which can be returned to the address at
the top of the form. A fee is required to be submitted with
the form.
Planning Applications and Fees
If you wish to submit an application, you can download an application form. There is a fee
that needs to be submitted at the same time. There are some
exemptions for disabled people
Do I need permission to build an extension to my house?
Building Regulation Approval
Yes, unless the extension is a garage, carport, covered yard, porch
or conservatory within the restrictions further described on this
page.
Planning Permission
No, provided you are within the restrictions. Read more on domestic extensions.
Do I need permission to convert my loft into a room?
Building Regulation Approval
Planning Permission
Purely internal works do not need planning
consent unless you live in a
Listed
Building so boarding out the loft and putting in a roof light
would not usually need planning permission. However there are some
instances where planning permission would be necessary.
You do not normally need planning permission to re-roof your house,
insert skylights or build a dormer unless:
- You live in Conservation Area.
- Any dormer or roof extension faces a highway.
- The dormer or roof extension adds more than 50 cubic metres to
your house or 40 cubic metres to a terraced house.
- The dormer or roof extension would extend above the highest
part of the roof.
- The works create a balcony area.
- The materials to be used are not of similar appearance to the
existing dwelling
- The dormer or roof extension will be within 20cm of the eaves
of the dwelling house
- Any side facing window or rooflight would not be obscure
glazed and/or opens less than 1.7m from the floor
level.
- Any rooflight projects more than 15cm above the roofslope of
the original house.
. If you live in a Listed
Building you may require Listed Building Consent.
Please contact the Conservation Section
for more information.
Do I need permission to convert my garage into a
room?
Building Regulation Approval
Yes, where the conversion work involves structural alterations such
as new foundations or masonry to infill the existing garage door
opening, the creation of a new opening from the house, or the
installation of new plumbing for a bathroom or WC.
To apply you can
send in a building
notice or
submit full plans.
View list of charges.
Planning Permission
Under normal circumstances you do not need planning consent to
convert an attached garage into a room unless there is a condition
on the original planning consent for your house which prevents you
from doing so. You need to check this with the planning
officers.
Do I need permission to make internal alterations within my
house?
Building Regulation Approval
Yes, if the alterations are structural such as
removing or part removing a structural wall, floor or
chimneybreast. Generally if the alterations involve the insertion
of a beam or lintel or will affect the stability of the building,
then a Building Regulation approval is required.
If you have any doubt whether the works will be of a structural
nature you are strongly advised to seek the advice of a structural
engineer, architect or building surveyor who will advise you.
To apply you can
send in a building
notice or
submit full plans.
View list of charges.
Planning Permission
Purely internal works do not need planning
consent unless you live in a
Listed
Building.
Do I need permission to insert cavity wall
insulation?
Building Regulation Approval
Yes, but if you use an approved installer, they
will generally submit an application on your behalf as a matter of
course. To apply your installer will send in a notice. There is no
charge.
Planning Approval
Do I need permission to construct a detached garage or
outbuildings?
Building Regulation Approval and Planning Permission
No, provided you are within the restrictions.
Read more about garages.
Do I need permission to construct a car port?
Building Regulation Approval
No, provided its floor area is 30 sq.m or less
and it is open on at least two sides.
Planning Permission
Do I need permission to construct a patio, hard standing, path,
decking or driveway?
Building Regulations Approval
No, because they are not buildings themselves.
Planning Permission
Planning Permission is required to create or replace an area of
hardstanding (excluding decking) if ;
- The area of hardstanding to be created or replaced is at the
front of the property and
- creates or replaces an area of more than 5 square metres
and
- It is not of made of porous material.
However, if the area created or replaced is not
of a porous material planning permission will not be required if
the direct run off water from the hard surface is drained
to a porous or permeable area within the curtilage of the the
dwelling house.
Planning Permission is not required for the creation of area of
decking that has a height of less than 30 cm.
You must obtain the separate approval if a new driveway would
cross a pavement or verge. For more information contact
Worcestershire County Council Highways Partnership Unit on 01905
763763
You will also need to apply for planning permission only if you
want to make a new or wider access for your driveway on to a trunk
or other classified road.
Do I need permission to construct a porch?
Building Regulation Approval
Planning Permission
You will need planning permission for a porch
if the porch:
- Has an external ground area of more than 3 sq. metres;
- Is higher than 3 metres above ground level;
- Is less than 2 metres away from a boundary with any
highway
Do I need permission to construct a conservatory?
Building Regulation Approval
No, provided the floor area is 30 sq.m. or
less, the original house access door remains in place, its roof is
of transparent material and its walls are of toughened safety
glass.
Planning Permission
Do I need permission to carry out repairs to my
house?
Building Regulation Approval
No, provided the repairs are of a minor nature and you are
replacing like for like such as re-pointing, replacing a small area
of brickwork, re-felting a flat roof, etc.
In the case of re-roofing an existing building, if the tiles are of
the same type and weight, then no building regulation approval is
necessary. However, should the replacement tiles be heavier or even
lighter than the ones being replaced, then approval may be required
and you are advised to speak to a Building Control Officer.
To apply you can
send in a building
notice or
submit full plans.
View list of charges.
Planning Permission
You do not need planning permission for repairs, maintenance,
rendering, replacing windows (other than side facing windows - see
below) and doors, internal alterations, installing solar
panels, cavity wall insulation or re-roofing. This also includes
new heating appliances provided these do not include the
construction of flues or chimneys that are higher than the
house.
Side facing windows can only be replaced or installed without
planning permission if;
- They will be obscure glazed and
- non-opening unless the opening part of the window is more than
1.7m above floor level
However, if you live in a Conservation
Area you will need to apply for planning permission before
cladding the outside of your house with stone, artificial stone.
pebble dash, render, timber, plastic or tiles
If you live in a listed building, you
will need listed building consent for any significant works whether
internal or external. A form can be downloaded here. You also may
need planning permission to alter or repair a gate, fence, wall or
other means of enclosure around a listed building.
Do I need permission to convert my house into flats?
Building Regulation Approval
Yes. To apply contact Building Control to
discuss proposals and determine the charge to accompany the
application.
Planning Permission
You need planning consent to divide your house
into self-contained flat or bedsits but you do not need it if you
want to let one or two rooms to lodgers.
If you wish to submit an application you can
download an application form. There is an
application fee that needs to be
submitted at the same time. There are some exemptions for disabled
people.
Do I need permission to install or alter the position of a
bath, w.c. etc.?
Building Regulation Approval
No, unless the work involves the provision of
new below ground drainage and / or new, rather than replacement
above ground level plumbing.
Planning Permission
No.
Do I need Building Regulation Approval to install or alter the
position of a heating appliance?
Building Regulation Approval
Gas appliances – yes, unless the works are
carried out by a CORGI registered fitter.
Electric appliances – No
Oil / Solid fuel – possibly please contact Building Control to
discuss the works to be undertaken.
Planning Permission
No, unless a new chimney extends above the
roof of the house.
Do I need permission to erect a fence, gate or boundary
wall?
Building Regulations Approval
No, because they are not buildings
themselves.
Planning Permission
You will need to apply for planning permission
if:
- Your house is a listed building or your house is in the grounds
of a listed building; or
- The fence, wall or gate would be over 1 metre high and adjacent
to a highway used for vehicles; or over 2 metres high
elsewhere.
Note - Complications can arise on sloping sites or where existing
ground levels have been altered. Before erecting any means of
enclosure you should satisfy yourself that there are no
restrictions on your property in the form of planning conditions or
covenants ie. open plan estates. Care should be taken when
enclosures are proposed close to road junctions.
Do I need permission to alter or extend an electrical
supply?
Building Regulation Approval
Yes. New or altered electrical supplies now
require consent under the Building Regulations unless the work is
carried out by an electrician/installer who is registered with a
Competent Person's scheme, in which case a building regulation
application will not be required for the electrical work. We would
strongly encourage the use of electricians/installers who are part
of a Competent Person Scheme.
Further details can be found on the
Electrical Safety webpage or on the following
guidance notes
Planning Permission
You will not require planning permission for
changes to electrical work.
Do I need permission for domestic microgeneration
equipment?
Building Regulation Approval
Contact the Building Control section for more information.
Planning Permission
No, provided you are within the restrictions. Read more on
microgeneration equipment