Planning Permission is required for most forms of development of land/buildings. This includes most changes of use of buildings/land as well as new buildings and alterations. It is important that owners of land/buildings make sure that any use of their property conforms with Planning Legislation.  

The Planning Department of the local authority can advise you if Planning Permission is required for any proposed development.

It is possible to apply for Planning Permission in principle. This was formerly known as “Outline Planning Permission”. The purpose of these Applications is to establish whether the proposed development conforms with the planning legislation without becoming involved in the expense of preparing detailed plans. If granted, this will establish whether a particular development will be permitted by the local Planning Authority.

This normally involves submitting detailed plans to comply with conditions imposed in Planning Permission in Principle.

As the name suggests, this requires submission of all the details of the proposed development in one stage. This will involve detailed plans.

Building work requires to be checked by the Local Authority to ensure that any construction conforms with the minimum standards laid down by the Building Regulations.This is in addition to Planning Permission. Once the development is completed satisfactorily, the Local Authority will issue a Completion Certificate.

Miller Hendry liaise closely with Architects and Town Planning Officials and can advise.

If an Application for Change of Use is required an application will require to be made to the Local Planning Authority.