Planning permission is an important step in any construction, renovation, or alteration project in the UK. However, you may just don’t know how long does planning permission last uk. This knowledge about planning permission would save a person from possible delays, wasted costs, and even confusion. Here is an article that would give you everything about how long does planning permission last uk and what you should understand so your project remains on the right track.
Table of Contents
What Is Planning Permission?
Before knowing how long planning permission last UK, we should first have a brief definition of what planning permission is. Planning permission, which is granted by a local authority, is required to undertake particular types of development in land or property. Whether constructing an extension, changing the use of a building, or conducting significant renovation work, planning permission is typically required. You usually submit an application to your local council; they will assess whether proposed work is suitable for the area and in compliance with local planning policies.
Read about the required planning permission drawings.
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There is no need to apply for planning permission for all sorts of development, especially if the development is under permitted development (PD). For example, if you want to convert your loft space to a dormer, keeping the volume of 40 to 50 cubic meters (depending on property types), or you want to erect a fence not taller than 2 meters or want to have a small extension that is within 3 meters from the original house, you don’t need to apply for planning permission.
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How long does planning permission last for in the UK?
Planning permission in the UK is valid for a period of three years from the date of grant. It means that you should start to develop within three years; otherwise, planning permission will no longer be valid. Once you have started work, you can progress with it until it is completed, even if it may take longer than three years to finish it.
If you do not begin the project in this period, you will have to re-prepare the application for a new permission, which may necessitate repeating the entire application process all over again. So, for those who’ve been busy preparing their sites and are not ready to start construction right after the moment they get planning permission, it is very essential to keep this time limit in mind.
What Happens If You Don’t Start Within Three Years?
If you fail to commence a project within 3 years after planning permission is granted, the approval becomes void. So if you still want to carry out that project, then you’ll have to reapply for planning permission. While there is a chance that your application for planning permission will be granted again, changes in local planning policies, regulations, or even the area zoning may affect your chances.
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Reapplying for planning permission is a long and expensive process, with no surety that you will receive approval again, so you are better off commencing your project before the end of these three years.
How long does planning permission last UK? Is it possible to obtain a longer duration of planning permissions?
In certain situations, you can apply for an extension with the planning permission, although it is not always as simple as it sounds. In case you are unable to start the project on stipulated time, you can file for what is called a “non-material amendment,” or “extension of time.” This type of application allows requesting additional time for commencing development. However, the local authority does not always grant this extension, and they will scrutinize the reasons for the delay on your part.
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If planning conditions remain unchanged, and no such changes have occurred in local policies, local authorities tend to be lenient in granting an extension. But remember that the council is not obliged to grant your request for an extension under any circumstances. If your extension application is not granted, you will have to make another planning application.
Will planning permission be invalid at the ending of the development?
It is true that the planning permission becomes irrelevant once the development is completed. It is about giving you permissions to start and finish any project. Once it is completed and provided you adhered to the stipulated plans, you need not concern yourself with the time. It is very important, however, to ensure that the entire development conforms to certain conditions under which the planning permission is granted.Â
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Yet, after completion, if you have made changes that significantly affect the original approved plans, you will have to apply for retrospective planning permission. Such applications have all sorts of complications against grants or the time involved. Thus, it’ll be better off sticking to approved plans.
What Happens to Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas?
Obstacles concerning planning permission for works to listed buildings or works in conservation areas include the following additional considerations. Planning permission for a listed building often comes with all sorts of strange conditions that describe how the work is supposed to be done, and compliance with these conditions is essential to safeguard you from enforcement action. In these particular cases, it seems that the planning permission would have an automatic time limit, and the local authorities would be even stricter about these time limits.
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For buildings within conservation areas, the planning permission would probably carry even harsher restrictions since these areas have been designated as such because of their historical and architectural significance. Thus, the local authority is likely to refuse an extension of planning permission in such areas or may impose harsher stipulations on how the project runs.
Planning Permission and Building Regulations Approval: What Are the Differences?
Certain matters are differentiated;Â
- On the one hand, planning permission is applicable to the conditions under which development is suitable for an area and the related policies.Â
- Building regulations, on the other hand, relate to those provisions determining whether or not an action is safe or if it is in accordance with the building regulations.
- Building regulations approval is required for almost all building projects, regardless of whether planning permission is required. For example, the development of loft conversions or rear extensions that fall under permitted development rights
- Building regulations have their own time limits and approval processes, which may differ from planning permission.Â
- In a few types of projects, you will need both planning permission and building regulations approval before you commence the construction work.Â
How Can You Keep Planning Permission Valid?
To keep your planning permission valid, make sure to start work as soon as possible after receiving the approval. If you realize that the time for completion of this project may exceed the three-year validity, then it is better to apply for an extension before the expiry of that three-year period.Â
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Another way of keeping your permission valid is to frequently search the planning website of your local authority to check for changes in planning policy or regulation. This will also keep you updated on notices or updates related to your particular project.Â
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If you think that you may not be sure about the validity of your planning permission, you can contact your local planning authority and check status. They will give you all the details of your application, including when it goes out of date.
End Thoughts
Without the planning permission, nothing should go under construction. Knowing the validity time frame will help you avoid the complications resulting from delays. In Great Britain, generally, the life of planning permission is three years, beginning to run from the date when it has been granted. If one fails to begin the project within that time, he will thereafter have to apply for planning permission.
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You can still apply for an extension if you will not finish the task within three years, but mostly, it may not be possible. It is advisable that you should start your project long before you reach the end of the three-year period to ensure you do not encounter any issues. Be sure to protect yourself legally by complying with planning conditions to prevent problems later.
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Be informed about the time frames of planning permissions so that everything about projects is known to run smoothly on schedule and even without delays.