Land and buildings are categorised by their type and purpose through a system known as ‘use classes’. A 'Change of use' can be within the same Use Class or from one Use Class to another.

You can find a full list of use classes and change of use scenarios related to planning on the Planning Portal website.

Read more about use classes

National planning regulations allow certain alterations to be made to a property without requiring planning permission; these are known as permitted development rights. In some cases, local authorities may remove or restrict these rights for specific types of development that would otherwise be allowed. This is achieved through the use of Article 4 Directions, which are intended to protect the character, heritage, and appearance of designated areas.

If your local planning authority has issued an Article 4 Direction, some of your permitted development rights may no longer apply. As a result, you may need to submit a planning application for works that would not normally require one.

You can check whether an Article 4 Direction affects your property by visiting your local authority’s website.

There are different planning fees for England and Wales, and many different application types depending on the work being carried out.

You can use the Planning Portal's fee calculator to work out fees for different kinds of proposal.

Use the fee calculator (England)

Use the fee calculator (Wales)

While every effort has been taken to ensure that the fee has been calculated correctly, the determination of whether a planning fee is correct is the responsibility of the relevant local planning authority, who will check the fee is correct when the application is submitted and validated.

In many cases, yes. Converting a single residential property (Class C3) into a small House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) for up to six occupants can often be done under permitted development rights, specifically under Class L. This means that planning permission isn’t usually required.

However, if your property is located in an area covered by an Article 4 Direction, permitted development rights are removed, and you would need to apply for full planning permission to change the use from C3 (dwellinghouse) to C4 (HMO).  

Read more information about use class changes on Planning Portal

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Many trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) which means that, in general, you need the council's consent to prune or fell them.

A TPO is placed on a tree, group of trees or woodland with the aim of protecting them. The following is prohibited on a protected tree, without the local planning authority's (LPA) consent:

- Felling

- Topping

- Lopping

- Uprooting

- Wilful damage/destruction

Owners of the trees must maintain their trees, and an LPA will often encourage good tree management. However, they are unable to require maintenance work just because a tree falls under a TPO.

If you wish to complete work on a tree under a TPO you will be required to submit an application to the local planning authority. For full details on this application type, read guidance about works to trees and the application process.

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