Advice for Businesses

The planning rules for businesses are different from those for ordinary householders. This page provides links to useful sources of information to help you decide whether you need planning permission for what you want to do whether it is displaying an advert, working from home, changing the use of an existing premises or changing the use of a building.

General Advice

The Planning Portal has information for businesses under their Common Projects section.

If you are interested in finding out about displaying an advertisement , visit the Planning Portal and view the publication called outdoor advertisements and signs: a guide for advertisers.
General advice on common types of applications
Information on use classes and where a change of use is permitted without the need for planning permission
The interactive terrace on the Planning Portal includes information for shops
Information on warehouses and industrial buildings
Guidance on the changes to permitted development for office buildings, shops or catering, colleges and professional services

Building Control

Obtaining planning permission approval is a separate matter from Building Regulations approval and you should consult the council’s Building Control or the Planning Portal .

Local Guidance and Planning Policy

The council has also produced its own local guidance, called Supplementary Planning Documents . These include the following which are commonly referred to in relation to commercial development: