Check if you need planning permission

You need planning permission for most building work, or if you want to change the use of a building or a piece of land.

However, you can carry out some work without the need to apply for planning permission. This is called 'permitted development'. The Planning Portal explains more about permitted development.

Even if the work does fall under permitted development, you may still need planning permission, as your property may not have permitted development rights.

You can find out what permitted development rights your property has by:

checking with us
searching the planning history of the property
checking if rights have been removed by an Article 4 directions

We are not able to give you advice over the phone, as each property is different, depending on its location and history. We strongly recommend that you follow the steps listed on this page.

Get advice or confirmation

You can find advice on the Planning Portal, or ask us for advice. You can also apply for a Lawful Development Certificate if you want us to confirm if your work needs planning permission from us.

Planning Portal You can find general advice about if you need planning permission on the Planning Portal.

Planning permission enquiry You can ask us to check if your proposed work will need planning permission or not.

Lawful Development Certificate You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate for confirmation of whether your work needs planning permission from us. This can apply to both completed or future work.

Other things you need to consider

As well as planning permission, there are other things you need to consider. This includes permissions, regulations and restrictions that apply to where you live or what you want to do.

Article 4 Directions If your property is in an Article 4 Direction area, you may not have permitted development rights so would need to get permission. You can check where these areas are.

Building control Even if you don't need planning permission, you may still need building control approval. Building regulations make sure that buildings are safe, accessible and energy efficient.

Community Infrastructure Levy The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge we apply to new developments, to help to fund improvements to infrastructure.

Conservation areas and listed buildings If you live in a conservation area or your property is a listed building, you may need specific consent, as well as planning permission.

Dropped kerbs You need permission from Essex County Council if you want a dropped kerb. You may also need permission from us.

Electric vehicle charging You may need planning permission to install an electric vehicle charging point, depending on the circumstances of your property.

Walls and fences You may need planning permission to put up or replace a fence or wall depending on its height and where it is located.

Work on a protected tree Before you carry out work on a tree, you need to check if it has a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) on it or it is in a Conservation Area.