Check if you need planning permission

 

You do not always need planning permission to carry out work on your property. Whether you need permission depends on:

• what you want to do
• your property and any restrictions

What are you planning to do?

— Change or extend your home or build something in your garden
— Build, install or convert something on non-domestic property
— Change how a building is used
— Short-term let your property

You may also need other consents, depending on your property.

 

Change or extend your home or build something in your garden

You may not need planning permission if:

• your work is within permitted development limits
• you are not creating a separate home
• your property has no special restrictions

You are likely to need planning permission if:

• your extension or structure is outside permitted development limits
• you create a self-contained home or annex
• your permitted development right have been restricted
• your property is a listed building or in a conservation area. You can check if you property is listed or in a conservation area on the Historic Scotland’s website.

Scottish government provides guidance on permitted development for the following:

• Air Source Heat Pumps
• Solar Panels on your house
• Solar Panels on an outbuilding and freestanding solar panels
• Altering or replacing windows in a Conservation Area

 

Build, install or convert something on non-domestic property

Some developments on non-domestic property may also be permitted but may require an application for prior approval before development can start.

Scottish government provides guidance on non-householder permitted development.

 

Change how a building is used

A change of use is when a building or land is used for a different purpose.

Planning permission is not usually required if the current and proposed uses fall within the same use class. For example:

• changing a bank into a shop
• changing a hotel into a hostel

You usually need planning permission if the new use is in a different use class. For example:

• changing the use of the property to a restaurant or cafe
• changing a guesthouse into a house

 

Short-term let your property

You do not normally need planning permission to let your whole house or flat as a holiday let or let rooms in your home if:

• you have 4 or more bedrooms and rent no more than 2 guest bedrooms, or
• you have 3 bedrooms or less and rent not more than 1 guest bedroom

You are likely to need planning permission where:

• you create a separate unit or property for letting
• you let more rooms than are normally allowed
• the planning authority consider you are making a material change of use

 

Other consents you may need

Even if you do not need planning permission, you may still need other approvals. These may include:

• Listed Building Consent for works to listed buildings
• Tree works consent for protected trees (Tree Preservation Orders)
• Tree works notification for trees in conservation areas
• Advertisement consent for signs or adverts
• Tree works notification for trees in conservation areas
• Advertisement consent for signs or adverts
• Conservation Area Consent for demolition in a conservation area

 

Planning rules can be complex and depend on your specific circumstances.

If you’re not sure whether you need permission or other consents, email the planning support team at planning@lochlomond-trossachs.org