Solihull Council

The Website of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Planning Applications - Do I need planning permission?

General information on the most common types of householder development and whether planning permission is required.  Other information relating to guidance for businesses is also provided further down the page.

The advice given here is not binding and if you are in any doubt about whether you need to apply, you should contact Design and Development by Telephone 0121 704 8008, use the Contact form below or email planning@solihull.gov.uk.

House Extensions

Permitted Development Rights

Take Care! If you build something which requires 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.

  • Your Responsibilities
    As the property or landowner, you have a responsibility to ensure any development complies with the relevant planning rules and building regulations.  This page explains what your responsibilities areand what the rules and regulations are.  It also provides guidance on what else you may need to consider.  This link will take you to the Planning Portal website.
  • Permitted Development Rights, Article 3 & 4 Directions
    You are normally permitted to carry out certain types of development without obtaining formal planning permission.  In some cases the council may have removed some or all of your permitted development rights and this page contains more information on the subject.  Technical Guidance is also available from the Planning Portal that goes into detail about what development can be carried out as permitted development.  If you still unsure of what permitted development rights are and how they may affect your project, please contact Design and Development for further advice specific to your development.  We have provided a number of Permitted Development Enquiry Forms for this purpose.  Please look under "Printable Forms" on the right of this page.
  • Common Projects.
    Project specific guidance on whether you need planning permission for alterations to your dwelling, for example and new conservatory, garage/outbuilding, dormer window, repairs to a driveway etc. This link will take you to the Planning Portal website.
  • Interactive House Guide.
    A simple guide to planning permission and building regulations for alterations to your home.  This link will take you to the Planning Portal website.
  • Antenna Guide.
    Find out if you need planning permission to place an antenna or satellite dish on your house.
  • Creating better places to live: A guide to the planning system in England.
    This Link will take you to the Communities and Local Government website
  • Tree Preservation Orders.
    Find out if your property has a tree protected by a Tree Preservation order.
  • Listed Buildings.
    Find out if your property is listed and what this means or is near to a listed building.
  • Planning Conservation Areas.
    Information on Conservation Areas and restrictions on developments, demolition and work to trees within these areas.

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.

Guidance for Businesses

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 Documents

Landscape and Ecology Guidance

Planning Policy Guidance and Planning Policy Statements

Planning policy guidance notes (PPGs) and their replacements Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) are prepared by the government after public consultation to explain statutory provisions and provide guidance to local authorities and others on planning policy and the operation of the planning system.  They also explain the relationship between planning policies and other policies which have an important bearing on issues of development and land use.

Local authorities must take their contents into account in preparing their development plans. The guidance may also be relevant to decisions on individual planning applications and appeals.

An explanation of each policy and the policy document in full are available on the Planning Portal website.

The Regional Spatial Strategy for the West Midlands is also available on the Planning Portal’s page.  Further information is also available via the West Midlands Regional Assembly website.

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 may include land subject to:

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


Related articles

Related links

Further Information

Contact

Tel: 0121 704 6373 Email: developmentcontrol@solihull.gov.uk Planning Services, PO Box 11652 Solihull, B91 9YA
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Solihull Connect, Library Square, Solihull West Midlands B91 9RG UK
0121 704 6000
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