If you live in a house (not a flat or a maisonette) or run a business, you may be able to make alterations to your property without needing to make a planning application, depending on some limits and conditions. These rights are called 'permitted development rights'.
The council is developing a free online help tool to help you check if your development has permitted development rights.
You can also read the online guidance on the Planning Portal and on the following pages of this guide.
If you think that your development has permitted development rights, we recommend that before carrying out works, you apply to the council for a 'certificate of lawfulness'. This is an optional application that asks the council to confirm in a legal document that the proposed works would be lawful (that they would comply with the legislation). A certificate can give peace of mind before you start works, and may be required during any future sale of your property. It is strongly recommended that you wait for the decision on a Lawful Development Certificate application before carrying out any works to ensure that the works are lawful.
If you are thinking of making alterations to your property, read the online guidance on the Planning Portal and on the following pages of this guide.
If you require planning permission, find out about the planning application process.