Planning permission is the formal consent, granted by the local planning authority, that is needed before most new building work, significant alterations or a material change in the use of land or buildings can lawfully go ahead.
In England and Wales the system is based on the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, with separate legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Some minor works can go ahead under permitted development rights without a full application. For the quantity surveyor, planning matters because consents often bring costs and conditions that must be reflected in the cost plan and programme. Points to watch include:
- planning conditions, especially pre-commencement conditions that must be discharged before work starts
- Section 106 obligations and the Community Infrastructure Levy, which can add significant cost
- the difference between planning permission and Building Regulations approval, which are separate consents
Related terms: Building Regulations, Section 106 agreement, Community Infrastructure Levy, permitted development.
