Lawful Development Certificate

Please note its important the date the use or development has started has been completed.

Please also ensure the grounds for the application is relevant to what is being applied for.

The application site must be edged in red, and the plan must include a north point and should show the site in relation to adjoining properties and the nearest road junctions and include any land required to access the property from the public highway.

Mandatory for applications that where the existing development involves an outbuilding, boundary treatment, vehicle access/driveway alterations.

However, for evidence-based applications (confirming the use/development has been in place for more than 4/10 years) plans aren’t necessarily required but may be useful to help assess the application.

For existing changes to vehicle access/boundary treatment, a more detailed site/block plan is required if there are any changes to the landscaping (e.g. hardstanding).

Please ensure where relevant to include the distance to boundaries.

Mandatory for all applications relating to an existing use/development (this also includes applications for using a room of a residential dwelling for a business such as TFL or minicab operators).

However, for evidence-based applications (confirming the use/development has been in place for more than 4/10 years) plans aren’t necessarily required but may be useful to help assess the application.

For applications for vehicle access or boundary fencing/walls/gates, a Block Plan should be sufficient if the access/proposed boundary treatment is clearly shown.

Please ensure to include key dimensions including width and depth of any increase in footprint this includes on both ground floor and first floor extensions. In addition, if a new vehicle access is part of the existing development we will require the dimensions for the access.

Mandatory for applications proposing built development including extensions and any external alterations, if any of the proposed work is visible this including elevational changes such as window changes, rendering/insulation and proposed boundary treatment (e.g., fencing/gates).

However, for evidence-based applications (confirming the use/development has been in place for more than 4/10 years) plans aren’t necessarily required but may be useful to help assess the application.

All elevations are required where the proposed work is visible. This includes those which are attached to the neighbouring property for example on semi-detached or terraced properties.

Please ensure to provide the key dimensions of the existing development, this needs to include the overall height of the proposed extensions (not just the height to the eaves). Please ensure to provide height, width, depth of any proposed dormers and in addition show any additional height if the roof is being increased in height.

For any use related proposals, elevations are only required if there are any visible changes to the property as part of the use change.

Mandatory if there are any roof alterations including addition of dormers and rooflights.

Mandatory for any first floor or two storey extensions.

Mandatory for outbuildings. 

However, for evidence-based applications (confirming the use/development has been in place for more than 4/10 years) plans aren’t necessarily required but may be useful to help assess the application.

Mandatory for any outbuildings with a floorspace of 50sqm or more.

However, for evidence-based applications (confirming the use/development has been in place for more than 4/10 years) plans aren’t necessarily required but may be useful to help assess the application.

Please be aware the quality of the evidence submitted is not assessed at validation stage the onus is on the applicant to provide enough evidence to support the application.

Any evidence containing sensitive/personal information must be clearly identified.  Where possible redacted versions of documents that are suitable for publication should be provided.