Please see the list below for answers to frequently asked questions regarding planning in general:
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A listed building is a building or other structure of special architectural or historic interest included on a statutory list and assigned a grade (I, II* or II).
Sites of exceptional historic interest are assessed as Grade I, those of great historic interest as Grade II* and those of special historic interest as Grade II. Listing includes the interior as well as the exterior of the building, and any buildings or permanent structures (e.g. wells within its curtilage).
If your property is a listed building then you will need additional planning consents to carry out works to it. You can select to apply for listed building consents when making an application on the Planning Portal.
English Heritage is responsible for designating buildings for listing in England.
A conservation area is an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.
If your property is in a conservation area then you will need additional planning consents to carry out works to it. You can select to apply for conservation area consent when making an application on the Planning Portal.
To find out if you live in a conservation area (and any policies or restrictions that may apply as a result) you will need to contact your local planning authority.
You can find contact details for your local planning authority on the Planning Portal.
The Green Belt is a specially designated area of countryside protected from most forms of development.
It is protected to help stop urban sprawl, preserve the character of existing settlements and encourage development within existing built-up areas.
You should contact your local planning authority to find out if your land is in a Green Belt area, and any policies or restrictions that may apply as a result.
You can find contact details for your local planning authority on the Planning Portal.
You will need to contact your local planning authority to find the existing planning use class for a particular property.
You can find contact details for your local planning authority on the Planning Portal.
In addition, you can find more information on Use Classes in our 'Do you need permission'.
All living rooms and bedrooms are normally considered as habitable for the purposes of density calculations. Kitchens, bathrooms, WCs or circulation space are not normally regarded as habitable rooms.
There are currently two kinds of planning policy: national (as prepared by the Department for Communities and Local Government) and local (as prepared by your local planning authority).
National planning policy can be searched from our policy section.
Local planning authorities (often your council) prepare policies affecting communities within their administrative boundaries. These policies are often referred to as development plans.
Many local authorities publish details of plans and policies on their websites.
You can find contact details for your local planning authority on the Planning Portal.
