Planning Applications - Do I need planning permission?

This is a guide to the most common enquiries about whether planning permission is required for residential properties and businesses.

• National Validation Criteria
• Local Validation Criteria
• Planning Portal
• Application Forms
• Fees
• Planning Guidance

The advice given here is not binding and if you are in any doubt about whether you need to apply, you should contact Development Control Telephone 0121 704 6373 or use the Contact form below.

Residents

Planning: a guide for householders
National guidance from the Communities and Local Government website

Visual Guide for Householders
A simple guide to planning permission and building regulations around your home.

Antenna Guide
Find out if you need planning permission to place an antenna on your house.

Creating better places to live: A guide to the planning system in England

Other Things to Consider

If you are thinking of developing your property or other land it would be sensible to check if the land is subject to any constraints or other issues. Constraints within the borough of Solihull include land subject to:

• Solihull Unitary Development Plan 2006 (UDP)
• Flood risk
• Contaminated Land
• Tree Preservation Orders
• Listed Buildings
• Planning Conservation Areas
• Permitted Development Rights, Article 3 & 4 Directions

You can also visit the Environment Agency's website to find out if your property or land is at risk from flooding.

If you are in doubt whether your project requires planning permission you may apply to the Council to determine the issue. The Householder Development Enquiry Form is available for the purpose.

Take Care! If you build something which needs planning permission without obtaining permission first, you may be forced to put things right later, which could prove troublesome and costly. You might even have to remove an unauthorised building.

Guidance for Businesses

Planning permission: a guide for business
National guidance from the Communities and Local Government website

Creating better places to live: A guide to the planning system in England

Farmers Guide to planning

Outdoor advertisements and signs: a guide for advertisers

This booklet, prepared by Communities and Local Government, aims to explain to everyone who wants to display an outdoor advertisement how the system of advertisement control works in England.

Solihull UDP Supplementary Planning Guidance

Additional guidance which stems from the policies or proposals of the Unitary Development Plan (supplementary planning documents within a Local Development Framework under the new Planning System).

Supplementary Planning Guidance 

Housing in Context - Guidance for Windfall Development

Affordable Housing

Supplementary Planning Documents

• SPG 1 The Historic Environment
• SPG 2 Rural Buildings Conversion Guidance
• SPG 3 House Extension Guidelines
• Vehicle Parking and Green Travel Plans
• Hot Food Take-Away Shops
• Planning Guidelines to Housing Development
• Shop Fronts & Signs
• Replacement Dwellings in the Green Belt
• Soihull's Countryside

Other Useful Tools

Volume Calculator
Calculate the area and volume of your works to see if planning permission is required

Fee Calculator
Calculate the fees for any given planning application by answering simple questions.

Online Application Service Walkthrough
Learn how to apply online through the Planning Portal.

Visual Guide to Local Development Frameworks
Learn how development will be managed in your local area - and how you can have your say.

Contact Details

Planning Services are committed to providing an efficient and accurate service to members of the public via the Internet.  If you feel essential content is missing from our online service, please contact us using the link below or alternatively contact our office on: -

Telephone: 0121 704 6373.

Fax: 0121 704 6592

Email: developmentcontrol@solihull.gov.uk

You can also write to us at: -

Planning Services
PO Box11652
Solihull
West Midlands
B91 9YA

You can also use the Contact Development Control Form