Applying for Planning Permission
Do I need planning permission?
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order gives permission to householders to carry out certain limited forms of development without the need to make an application to a local planning authority. This permission does not apply to flats or commercial properties.
Guidance on whether common projects around your house require planning permission can be found at the planning portal website on their Common Building Work Projects page; a link to which can be found at the bottom of this page.
There is also an interactive visual guide which gives the same information; a link to which can also be found at the bottom of this page.
If you are unsure whether you require planning permission you can ask for our informal advice by:
- Writing to us at:
Development Managementl,
Guildhall 2
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1EU
Coming to see us at the above address where we operate a drop-in service at The Environmental Services Counter in the Information and Advice Centre, Guildhall 2, between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
- Phoning us on 020 8547 5002
- Or emailing us on dc@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
If you would like a formal determination you must apply for a Lawful Development Certificate (which can be found on our Planning Application Forms page). A Lawful Development Certificate can be included as part of a Home Information Pack should you come to sell your house as proof that the work did not require planning permission.
Please note that the rules surrounding what is permitted development changed on the 1 October 2008. If you obtained a certificate of lawfulness for proposed works and did not start the works before this date you should reapply as it may be that your development may not be lawful under the new rules. Conversly if your application was not lawful the changes to the rules may have been beneficial to you.
What will the fee be?
The fees for planning applications and advertisement consents are given at the bottom of this page. If you are unsure on which fees apply for your application there is a fees calculator on the planning portal website a link to which can be found at the bottom of this page.
How to submit applications
You may submit your application in any of the following ways:
- Online via the Planning Portal at www.planningportal.gov.uk
- By post to: Development Management, Guildhall 2, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1EU.
- By hand at The Environmental Services Counter in the Information and Advice Centre at the above address.
If you wish to submit an application by post or hand copies of the forms you will need can be found by following the links on the left.
Please make sure you have checked the appropriate validation checklist before submitting your application as they will provide you with useful guidance on what information we require you to submit.
Please note: If you do not send all the information we need, your application will be deemed invalid.