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What is a lawful development certificate?
If you want formal confirmation that the existing use of a building is lawful for planning purposes, or that your proposed development does not require planning permission, you can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate(LDC). An LDC can be useful in situations where you need assurance that a particular use, operation, or development is lawful under planning legislation.
Read more about Lawful Development Certificates.
Applications for a Lawful Development Certificate can be submitted online to your local council using Planning Portal. You must include enough detail and evidence to support your case; if the information is insufficient, your application may be refused.
Common Questions
An application for full planning permission for a change of use is often required when changing from a house (use class C3) to a residential institution (use class C2). This is due to the increased activity which a C2 use would have on the local street area through the addition of visitors, staff and changes to parking.
Read additional information on use classes and changes of use.
If you're doing electrical installation work in your home or garden in England or Wales, you must follow the building regulations. It's recommended to hire an installer who is registered with a competent person scheme (a registered competent person’) who can self-certify that the work meets the required standards.
Yes, but you will need to obtain planning permission. Converting a detached garage into a self-contained living space, such as annexe, studio flat, or retail unit, represents a material change of use, particularly if it will function independently from the main house. This is because the garage would no longer be used in connection with the main dwelling and would effectively become a separate residential unit.
A shed is classed as an outbuilding which falls under permitted development rights, meaning that it does not require an application for planning permission. They can be built in conservation areas provided they meet the limits set out in legislation.
Specifically on protected land, including conservation areas, no part of the outbuilding can be on the side or front elevation of the house.
A full list of limits and conditions can be read on our outbuildings common project.
Climbing frames are classed as ‘outbuildings’ meaning they are classed as permitted development, not requiring an application provided they meet the limits set out in legislation. One of these limits is that they cannot be in front of the house.
The key restrictions for a climbing frame will be the height; how close it can be to the properties boundaries and where it can be located.
A full list of limits and conditions can be found on our outbuildings common projects.
If the climbing frame exceeds any of the limits set out in legislation an application for planning permission is required.
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