Do I need building or planning consent?

Building regulations are there to ensure that buildings are safe, accessible and energy efficient in normal use.

Building regulations

Technical standards are set through building regulations by the Department for Communities and Local Government and we have a duty to enforce them.

Planning permission

Planning covers issues such as the size of development as it impacts on immediate neighbours and the community.

Planning policy is partly the result of local policy as well as national policy, and public consultation is part of the planning process.

Building and/or planning consent

As these are two separate pieces of legislation they are handled by separate application processes, and some building work requires building but not planning consent.

For a guide as to whether you might need building or planning consent for work that you want to do, visit the Planning Portal.