A property development’s success or failure can rest on decisions made by a local authority’s planning department. Permission is necessary for most major alterations to residential property these days – whether the house is being built from scratch, an extension added or the entire upstairs is being completely renovated etc. In other words, if the appearance of the property is going to be substantially altered.
Planning officials will give the go-ahead, or suggest recommendations, depending on such issues as whether the property will fit in with the rest of the local environment and the effect it will have on neighbouring properties (in terms of blocking out light, or overlooking their windows, resulting in privacy issues. All current rules and regulations can be found in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
