What is the difference between a local planning authority and a council?

All local planning authorities are councils, but not all councils are local planning authorities in the planning sense. In two-tier areas, the district council is the LPA for most planning matters, while the county council handles minerals and waste planning.

Can I contact any council's planning department, or only my LPA?

You should contact the LPA for the area where your property is located. Planning decisions are made by the LPA in whose area the development falls.

What is a National Park Authority?

National parks in England have their own planning authorities (national park authorities) that handle planning applications within the park boundaries. If your property is in a national park, you apply to the national park authority, not the district council.

How to Find Your Local Planning Authority (LPA)

Your local planning authority (LPA) is the council responsible for planning decisions in your area. It is the council you submit planning applications to and contact for planning queries.

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