Do I need planning permission in the Craven area?

Work that does not require planning permission

Certain works can be undertaken without the need to obtain formal planning permission from us. These works are referred to as 'permitted development'. 

Many homeowners can construct extensions and outbuildings using their 'permitted development rights' and in May 2013 changes were made to these rights to allow householders to build larger extensions without planning permission.

These new rights do not apply in Craven's conservation areas or in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and are also subject to a number of other limitations and conditions.

It is not just homeowners that have the ability to carry out development without obtaining planning permission from us. Permitted development rights exist for a wide variety of other types of development and the statutory provisions for this are set out in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended). In 2013 and 2014, permitted development rights were extended to cover more changes of use of buildings and associated operational development.

Some of these rights are subject to a prior approval notification procedure to give us the opportunity to first consider whether there are any technical issues that it requires control over. Further details on changes of use and other development that can be undertaken without planning permission can be found on the Planning Portal.

Larger Home Extension 'Permitted Development' rights

Certain works to a house can be undertaken without gaining planning permission from us. These works are referred to as 'permitted development'.

In May 2013 changes were made to these rights to allow householders to build larger single storey rear extensions without planning permission. In summary, the size limits have doubled from 4 metres to 8 metres for detached houses, and from 3 metres to 6 metres for all other houses.

These new rights do not apply to Craven's conservation areas or the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and there are also a number of other limitations and conditions that need to be complied with. The new rights are applicable for a temporary period and all works must be completed by 30 May 2019.

Whilst full planning permission is not required, there is a requirement to notify us of an intention to develop and provide us with a certain amount of information. We will then notify any adjoining premises that a development is proposed and where objections are received we will assess the impact that the proposal has on the amenity of all adjoining premises.

Further advice on the process is provided in the Department for Communities and Local Government document 

Cases when developments are considered to be a major application:

An application is classed as major if

(i) it is for 10 or more dwellings, or

(ii) the development is to be carried out on a site having an area of 0.5 hectares or more and it is not known whether the number of dwellinghouses to be provided is 10 or more, or

(iii) the development carried out on a site having a site area of one hectare or more or the provision of a building, or

(iv) buildings where the floor space to be created  by the development is over 1000m² or more

A development’s context refers to the particular characteristics of the application site and its wider setting. These will be specific to the circumstances of an individual application and a Design and Access Statement should be tailored accordingly.