Planning Application Types — Which Do I Need?
There are several different types of planning application. Choosing the right one saves time and money. Here is a guide to the most common application types, their fees, and when to use them.
Householder Planning Application
The standard application for works to an existing single dwelling house. This covers extensions (front, rear, side), loft conversions, dormer windows, porches, outbuildings, and most alterations to a house.
Full Planning Application
A full planning application is required for new build dwellings, major changes of use, commercial developments, and works that do not qualify as a householder application. Fees are charged per dwelling unit (£293 for minor, £458 for major developments of 10+ units).
Listed Building Consent
Listed building consent (LBC) is required for any works that affect the special architectural or historic interest of a listed building — both internally and externally. Crucially, it is free to apply for. You may need both planning permission and listed building consent for the same project.
Lawful Development Certificate (LDC)
A Certificate of Lawful Development (CLD or LDC) is a formal legal document confirming that a proposed development is lawful as permitted development, or that an existing development was lawful. It costs half the householder planning fee and is highly recommended even when you are confident your project is permitted development.
Prior Approval
Prior approval is a lighter-touch application required for certain types of permitted development — most commonly for larger home extensions (over the standard PD size limits), commercial to residential conversions, and agricultural building conversions. The council only considers limited matters such as transport, flooding, and external appearance.
Change of Use Application
A change of use application is required when you want to change the use of a building or land from one use class to another — unless the change is permitted development. For example, converting a shop to a restaurant (within Class E) is PD, but converting a restaurant (E) to a pub (sui generis) needs planning permission.
Advertisement Consent
Advertisement consent is required to display most commercial advertisements and signs — including illuminated signs, large banners, estate agents' boards exceeding permitted sizes, and hoardings. Some signs are permitted development under the Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007.
Outline Planning Permission
Outline planning permission establishes the principle of development on a site without finalising all details. It is commonly used for larger residential or commercial sites where the developer wants to confirm the principle before committing to detailed design. Details are approved later through "reserved matters" applications.
Tree Works Application (Conservation Areas / TPOs)
Works to protected trees — whether covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or in a conservation area — require either formal consent or prior notification, depending on the type of protection. Both are free to apply for.
Discharge of Planning Conditions
When planning permission is granted, it usually comes with conditions that must be satisfied before work begins or before the development is occupied. A discharge of conditions application is submitted to get the council's formal approval that you have met those conditions — for example, submitting an agreed materials schedule, drainage scheme, or archaeological watching brief.
Non-Material Amendment
A non-material amendment (NMA) allows you to make minor changes to an approved planning permission without submitting a new application. The change must be genuinely minor — not altering the nature or impact of the development in any material way. Examples include minor changes to window positions, small adjustments to dimensions, or updating a construction detail. More significant changes require a Section 73 application or a new planning application.
Not sure which application type you need?
Use our fee calculator or permitted development checker, or read our how-to guides.