You don't necessarily need planning permission to work from home. If the overall character of the home will change as a result of the business, or you answer yes to any of the questions below, you probably will need planning permission.

• Is more than one room in your house being used for business purposes?
• Will your business result in a marked rise in traffic or people calling?
• Will there be anyone employed working at your home who does not normally live there?
• Will your business disturb your neighbours at unreasonable hours or create other forms of nuisance such as noise or smells?

Whatever business you carry out from your home, whether it involves using part of it as a bedsit or for bed and breakfast accommodation, using a room as your personal office, providing a childminding service, using rooms for hairdressing, dressmaking or music teaching, or using buildings in the garden for repairing cars or storing goods connected with a business - the key question is: is it still mainly a home or has it become business premises? For more information on planning permission please see the link below.

Planning permission may be needed to convert a garage into living or office accommodation. The original decision notice for your house should tell you if you need planning permission or you can contact us on 01296 585163.

If you decide to convert a garage or other area of your home into an office you may need building regulations approval. For more information on building regulations see the link below.

Shops

If you are buying or leasing a shop you do not usually need planning permission if you are using it for the same type of shop but you may need planning permission if you want to change what the shop is used for. You should check whether you need planning permission before negotiating a lease. A downloadable file is attached below to give advice about development of shop fronts. This also gives you information about shop signs.

For more information follow the link below to find out about change of use of buildings.
If you are carrying out building works to convert a shop you are likely to require building regulations approval. Please follow the link below for more advice.

Date Updated: 04/03/08