1 No Permission
Planning permission is not usually required for changes to the inside of buildings, or for tiny alterations to the outside. Other small changes, for example putting up a low fence, have a general planning permission for which a specific application is not required.
2 Permitted Development
Common small additions to domestic houses are often covered by 'permitted development' rights that allow you for example, to erect a small rear extension, without applying for planning permission. It does however have to fit within the rules for 'permitted development' such as the limit on the volume added to the house, and Permitted Development rights are removed from most Conservation Areas. To avoid mistakes it is usual to ask the local planning officer to confirm that a given proposal is "permitted".
Commercial premises such as shops are allowed some 'permitted development', for example sign boards within a certain size, but this is much more limited.
3 Delegated Powers
Plans that are small but need explicit permission (including most residential house extension applications) are dealt with by Senior Planning Officers, who are able to refuse or approve these under 'delegated powers'. However if there is a valid objection, when the officer recommended approval, it goes to the local Area Planning Committee.
4 Local Area Committee
Applications for most significant developments, and any with objections are considered by the local Area Committee. Each of the five Area Committees (ours is Isleworth & Brentford) holds two types of meetings. The Planning meeting considers local planning and traffic issues (the other meeting is about monitoring services). This local Area Committee decides on planning applications involving less than 10 residential homes or less than 1,000 sq. metres of commercial floorspace. Hounslow Council's Sustainable Development Committee determines applications for larger developments, although the local Area Committee may give an opinion.
The meetings are about every six weeks, usually in the Brentford Free Church, Boston Manor Road, Brentford, and are open to the public. In addition, the Committee can co-opt up to three local people onto the Committee (in a non-voting capacity). For a map to Brentford Free Church Click here >>
5 Sustainable Development Committee (SDC)
The SDC considers policy on planning, development and environmental issues of a borough wide or regional significance. It determines planning applications for developments involving 10 or more residential dwellings or over 1,000 sq. metres of commercial floorspace. Planning applications below this threshold are considered by the relevant local Area Planning Committee.
It also meets about every six weeks, at the Civic Centre, Lampton Road, Hounslow, and these meetings are also open to the public. For a map to the Civic Centre Click here >>
6 Appeals
When an application is refused, the applicant has the option of lodging an appeal. This will be heard and decided by a Planning Inspector, which can take six months to year. On rare occasions the original application will be 'called in' or the decision on appeal will be 'recovered' by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
7 Unitary Development Plan (UDP)
Under the Town and Country Planning Act every London borough is required to prepare a Unitary Development Plan which is the Statutory Development Plan for the whole of its area. The Plan has to address strategic London-wide issues and also contain detailed local policies and proposals.
