Do you need planning permission?

Did you know that not all building projects require planning permission? Find out what planning permission is and read examples of when this is needed.

What is planning permission?

It focuses on the impact your building project has to other people and other areas outside of the site.

For example, its visual impact, impact upon neighbouring properties and access.

Planning permission decides whether a certain building project takes place, controlling the right to build on land and protecting other people.

Your responsibilities

How is planning permission decided?

All our decisions are made based on the Local Plan. This is the strategy for the future development of the local area.

The following are just a few of the areas that we look at when considering an application:

Design, appearance and materials
Impact on trees, landscaping and wildlife
Highway safety
The planning history of the site
All forms of pollution such as noise, fumes and contamination
Heritage conservation
Creating opportunities for new employment or affordable housing

The decision-making process

Find out what happens after you have submitted an application

Do you have Permitted Development rights?

There are various types of development that are already granted planning permission so they don't require permission from us.

These building projects are known as "Permitted Development (PD)".

Sometimes the right to do these permitted developments will be limited by national criteria or because when previous permission was granted specific restrictions were put in place.

For example, you can add a conservatory on to the back of a house as long as it is a certain size (provided we have not removed that right when the house was given permission).

The decision-making process.

You will probably need Building Control approval

Building Control approval is different from planning permission.

It focuses on the technical side such as making sure building regulations are upheld and public safety is maintained.

For example, does the building have the correct foundations?

Most planning applications require Building Control approval.

Building Control have legal powers to prosecute those who don't comply with building regulations through the Planning Enforcement Team.

The decision-making process

So - do you need planning permission?

Useful guides will help you decide if you need it.

Quick examples

Extensions

An extension to your property does not always need planning permission.

Use our guide to work out if this is needed.

View extension guide

Change of use

Change of use is where a category of a building or land changes.

For example, a shop wishes to become a restaurant or someone wishes to start equestrian use on agricultural land.

In most cases, planning permission is required but there are exceptions.

The decision-making process

Pedestrian/vehicle access

You will need authorisation from Essex County Council for any works affecting a road. However you might not need planning permission.

For example, you don't need planning permission to put in a dropped kerb but if you are creating or altering access onto a Classified Road (Classes A, B and C), planning permission will be required.

The decision-making process

Advertisement signs

If you meet specific criteria you will not need consent from us.

The decision-making process

Markets or car boot sales

You will need planning permission if it is held within the curtilage of a building (i.e. a school or pub car park).

You will need planning permission if it lasts more than 14 times in total in any calendar year.

You don't need planning permission if it lasts less than 14 days in total in any calendar year and occurs in an open field.

For all events, you must send us formal notification 28 days before the car boot sale or series of car boot sales are held.

Failure to do so can result in a prosecution and a possible fine of £1,000.

We need to know the following information.

Full name and address of the person holding the event
Full name and address of the owner/occupier of the site (if different to the person holding the event)
The day or days on which it will be held including the opening and closing times
The site on which the event will be held (by reference to a plan)

Send us a notification

You don't need to do this if:

We have approved specific planning permission
Where the proceeds of the event are to be applied principally for charitable, social, sporting or political purposes