Planning and building advice for growing or expanding businesses.

New buildings and major changes to existing buildings, including changes of use usually need planning permission.

If you plan to do minor work inside the building, extensions, or putting up additional buildings within the grounds of your premises you may not need planning permission, however, it is always best to check with us first.

Farms

On holdings of 5 hectares or more you do not always need planning permission to extend or alter a building, if it is reasonably necessary for your agricultural work, however you may still need approval for certain details of the development, so it is always best to check.

To build new premises and to change the use of any of your buildings eg to open a farm shop, you will generally need to apply for planning permission. We also have a Farm Diversification Guide. For more information follow the link below.

Factory or warehouse extensions

You do not usually need planning permission for a factory or warehouse extension if it is:

• less than 1000 square metres of floor space and
• less than 25% of the volume of the original building; and
• below the height of the original building.

The extension must be related to the current use of the building or the provision of staff facilities. Planning permission is required if the extension:

• materially affects the external appearance of the building; or
• comes within 5 metres of the boundary of the site; or
• reduces the amount of space available for parking or turning of vehicles.

If you are in any doubt please call us for planning advice or follow the link below for more information about planning matters.

If you plan to carry out work on an existing building you need to get Building Regulations approval. Building Regulations set standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure their safety and health for people in or about those buildings. They also include requirements to ensure that fuel and power is conserved and facilities are provided for people, including those with disabilities, to access and move around inside buildings. It is different from planning permission. Please follow the link below for more information about building regulations.

Date Updated: 04/03/08