Once submitted, your planning application first goes through a validation process. After its validated, the formal decision period is 8 weeks. However, in some cases, especially for more complex proposals or if further information is needed, your local authority may request an extension of time.

Understand more about the decision-making process on Planning Portal

There is no single legal definition of "habitable room", as its use and meaning are subject to context. Generally, a habitable room is a space in a building that is designed for people to live, sleep, or spend extended periods of time in, but does not include bath or toilet facilities, corridors or utility rooms.

Your local planning authority will decide whether or not you need to apply for planning permission for an Airbnb or bed and breakfast. This helps them understand how the property is used and its impact on neighbours and the local community.

Rules are different in London and you should contact your local planning authority for further information.

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You will not need planning permission if a new or replacement driveway of any size uses permeable (or porous) surfacing which allows water to drain through, or if the rainwater is directed to a lawn or border to drain naturally.

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If the surface to be covered is more than five square metres planning permission will be needed for laying traditional, impermeable driveways that do not provide for the water to run to a permeable area.

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This guidance applies to houses, there are different rules for flats and maisonettes, converted houses, new houses or areas where there permitted development rights may be restricted.

Read about paving your front garden

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You may need to consider if a dropped kerb is required, largely dropped kerbs are not a planning matter but you will need to apply to your local council.  

Find out more about dropped kerbs

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The failure to obtain planning permission or comply with the details of a permission is commonly known as a 'planning breach'.

A planning breach usually occurs when:

• A development that requires planning permission is undertaken without the permission being granted - either because the planning application was refused or was never applied for
• A development that has been given permission subject to conditions breaks one or more of those conditions.

If the breach involves a previously rejected development (or the retrospective application fails) the council can issue an enforcement notice requiring you to put things back as they were.

There are statutory time limits for enforcement, these vary based on when the breach took place.

If the breach took place prior to 25 April 2024

• Change of use of a building, or part of a building, to use as a single dwelling house - Enforcement action can no longer be taken once the unauthorised use has continued for four years without any enforcement action being taken
• Operational development relating to building, engineering or mining - Enforcement action can no longer be taken from four years, beginning the date where the operations were substantially completed.

If the breach took place on or after 25 April 2024

• Change of use of a building, or part of a building, to use as a single dwelling house - Enforcement action can no longer be taken once the unauthorised use has continued for ten years without any enforcement action being taken
• Operational development relating to building, engineering or mining - Enforcement action can no longer be taken from ten years, beginning the date where the operations were substantially completed.

Other time limits:

There is no time limit for enforcement on breaches of planning control relating to relevant demolition.

For any other breach of planning control, ten years beginning with the date of the breach. This predominantly applies to changes of use.

Read more about breaches of planning control and lawful development certificates on Planning Portal.