Planning holds a balance between the need for new development and the need to protect the environment.
It tries to ensure all development is environmentally sustainable. Construction methods also need to comply with the building regulations for which there is a separate set of approvals. More information can be found on the
Building Control page. Working from home
You do not usually need planning permission just to work from home but sometimes you do.
The key test is whether the residence has changed because of the business. If the answer to any of the following questions is "yes", then you will probably need planning permission:
- Is your house no longer chiefly a private residence?
- Will your business result in a marked rise in traffic, people calling or working around the house or in out buildings?
- Will your business involve obvious activities not usual in a residential street?
- Will your business disturb your neighbours because of noise or smells?
Basically you need to ask yourself if the house is still mainly a home or has it become business premises? This is whatever the business, including:
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Using a room as an office
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Hairdressing
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Repairing cars
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Storing goods
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Using part of the house as a bed sit
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Running a "bed and breakfast"
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Providing childminding
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Music teaching.