- All new buildings require planning permission.
- To obtain planning permission, you first need a permission for development on the land.
- If the land is located in green belt or area with special protection, your planning permission may be refused.
- No matter where your land is located, you are subjected to certain restrictions which besides size and height of the building may also include design.
- New buildings also need to comply with the building regulations to be able to start with construction.
Planning Permission
Just like elsewhere in the United Kingdom, new buildings in the county of Tyne and Wear need a planning permission to be able to start with construction works. The planning policy in Tyne and Wear is based on the national planning policy the main purpose of which is to control the development of land and building in order to ensure quality and affordable housing, and protect the environment and heritage at the same time.
In order to receive a positive answer to your planning permission application, you need to meet all the requirements. These are the same all over the country but there are slight differences from one region to another as the local authorities and communities are allowed to create their own development plans. As a result, a planning permission application which is approved in one area is not necessarily approved in the other as well.
If you want to get a green light for a new building from the local planning authorities, you first need a permission for development on the land which means that you might also need a permission for change of the use of land. Whether you will be allowed to change the use of land depends on its location because some areas are protected from certain developments. Examples include green belts and areas with special protection due to their natural beauty, biodiversity or architectural/historic significance. There are always exceptions but if your land is located in an area with special protection, you may have difficulties obtaining permission for change of the use of land.
But just because you have permission for construction of a building on your land, that does not necessarily mean that you can build anything you like. No matter where your land is located, you are subjected to certain restrictions which are determined by the local planning authorities. In addition to size and height restrictions, the planning authorities will also review the design of the building which typically must reflect the character of the surrounding area.
To get planning permission, you need to know the planning requirements in the area very well and reading the laws and guidelines provided by the local planning authority often is not enough. The most convenient way to obtain the necessary permissions is to hire an architect who knows planning permission policy in the area very well or a construction company which also takes care for the necessary papers. You do not only need a plan which complies with the planning policy but you also need a plan which is in accordance with specific requirements otherwise your application can be refused.
Planning permission is unfortunately only one stage in the process. New buildings also need to comply with the building regulations to be able to start with construction but you will perhaps also need other permissions depending on the location of your land and scale of your project.