Do I need planning permission?

Different types of consent

You may need to apply to us for the following types of consent:

• Planning permission for building works (opens in a new window) (including new buildings, structures and external alterations, change to ground levels, mining operations and changes of use of land or buildings)
• Advertisement Consent (opens in a new window) for new signage
• Listed Building Consent (opens in a new window) for external or internal alterations to the built fabric of a Listed Building
• Conservation Area Consent (opens in a new window) for demolition of a building or structure in a Conservation Area (where the structure exceeds 115 cubic metres)
• Works to a tree covered by a Tree Preservation Order (opens in a new window)
• Works to a tree within a conservation area (opens in a new window)

Permitted development

Certain minor works or uses do not require planning permission from us and may be carried out as ‘permitted development’.

The specific rules for permitted development are set out in the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (opens in a new window). This includes certain proposals within the curtilage of a dwelling house, some changes of use and other minor operations.

You can find further advice on when planning permission is required on the Planning Portal (opens in a new window).

If you would like us to confirm whether your proposal requires planning permission, you can apply for a Certificate of Lawful Use or Development (Proposed) (opens in a new window). This is a legally binding decision from the council and may be useful confirmation when you come to sell your home or property.

Deemed advertisement consent

Certain adverts and signs can be erected without the need for Advertisement Consent. These circumstances are set out in Schedules 2 and 3 of the Advertisement Regulations (opens in a new window).

Application checklist

Our Application Checklist sets out the information you need to provide with your planning application.

It is vital that applications are supported by the right information so that we can assess them properly and deal with them in a timely manner. If supporting information is missing, it can lead to delays or could even result in your application being refused.

We therefore strongly encourage you to use our Application Checklist.

Pre-Application Discussion service

We offer a Pre-Application Discussion service for you to speak with a planning officer and discuss proposals before you make an application. For more information, please visit our Pre-Application advice section.

Planning applications - fees and forms

For information go to our planning fees and forms page.

Major planning applications

If you want to submit a Major application, you must have consulted with the community on your proposals before submitting your application. 

Twelve weeks before you submit an application, you must submit a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN), indicating how you will carry out consultation before submitting the formal application.

• Find out more about a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) 

Agents and architects

You can submit a planning application yourself or appoint an agent to act on your behalf. Please note that if you use an agent or architect, our contact during the application process will always be with them.

If you wish to appoint an architect you can visit the Architects Registration Board (ARB) website (opens in a new window). This is a register of everyone who is appropriately qualified and licensed to work as an architect in the UK.