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Do I need planning permission?

Certain minor building works do not need planning permission, this is known as permitted development.  General guidance on permitted development is available on the Planning Portal.

Our free interactive online tool is a service that helps establish whether or not you may need planning permission for your development.

Check if you need planning permission

Please note that this is a guidance service and does not constitute a formal decision of the council. If you would like formal confirmation that the work you are proposing does not require planning permission, you can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate Further details are below.

General planning advice

Following the successful launch of our interactive online planning tool, the council no longer provides a duty planner advice service.

Members of the public are encouraged to use the free interactive online tool in the first instance to establish whether or not you may need planning permission.

If after doing so, you are still unsure of the steps to take and would like further advice, we offer a paid pre-application advice service.  Our planning officers are not able to answer general queries by phone outside of this service.

You may also choose to engage the services of a planning consultant or architect for professional advice on your project.  The local authority is not able to provide recommendations, however the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Royal Institute of British Architects maintain registers of chartered professionals that can be accessed online at RTPI Directory of Planning Consultants and RIBA Find an Architect.

Lawful development certificates

If you would like formal confirmation that the work you are proposing does not require planning permission, you can apply for a lawful development certificate.  You will receive a decision notice, which is a legal document.

A fee is payable which is currently £129 for proposed householder development, and you are required to complete and submit an application form and plans.  This can be done online via the Planning Portal.  Further details of the plans required, such as site location plan and floor plans, are listed in our validation checklist.

The estimated turnaround time to consider these submissions is six to eight weeks.

Pre-application planning advice

The pre-application advice service gives you the opportunity to seek advice before submitting a formal application.  We charge for this service but it has many benefits, as listed in our information booklet, where you can also find a copy of the charges. To apply, please complete the pre-application advice form and email to developmentapplications@tewkesbury.gov.uk.

Feedback

If you are an applicant or agent acting on behalf of an applicant, we would like to hear your feedback about the pre-application advice service you have received.  Please complete this quick questionnaire to help the council provide a quality planning service.

Building regulations

Building regulations and town and country planning are completely separate.

Planning permission is required before you can start construction. Building control oversee the construction work when it is being carried out to ensure that the building work complies with the building regulations, a set of standards intended to protect people’s safety, health and welfare in and around built environments.

Most extensions and alterations require a building regulation application. Further information can be found on Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Building Control.