Work which doesn't need planning permission
Some types of building work and development don't need permission as long as they are within defined thresholds. This is called permitted development.
Always check if you'll need permission before starting any work.
Householder development
Some small alterations and extensions can be carried out to your house or in your garden without planning permission:
- Single storey ground floor extensions
- Ground floor extensions of more than one storey
- Porches
- Enlargements of the roof
- Access ramps
- Changes to external appearance that are not an enlargement
- Sheds, garages, greenhouses and other buildings
- Minor developments within domestic gardens
- Hard surfaces
- Decking or other raised platforms
- Gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure
- Flues for a biomass heating system
- Flues for a combined heat and power system
- Ground and water source heat pumps
- Free-standing wind turbines and air source heat pumps
The Scottish Government have published detailed guidance on permitted development for householders which covers the rules that must be followed.
Agricultural development
Some work for the purposes of agriculture can be done without planning permission:
- Erection, extension or alteration of an agricultural building
- Formation, alteration or maintenance of private ways on agricultural land
- Excavation or engineering operations on agricultural land
Sundry minor operations
A number of minor works can be undertaken without planning permission:
- Erecting or altering gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure
- Forming or constructing new access to roads
- Cleaning or painting stone
Changes of use
Buildings and land are grouped into classes depending on how they are used. Any material change of use may require planning permission.
If a change of use does not involve a change of class then planning permission is not required unless a restriction has previously applied. In addition, some changes of class do not require planning permission unless a restriction has previously applied:
| Current class | Proposed class |
|---|---|
| Class 2 - Financial, professional and other services | Class 1 - Shops |
| Class 3 - Food and drink | Class 1 - Shops |
| General - Sale of hot food for takeaway | Class 1 - Shops |
| General - Sales of motor vehicles (with floor area not exceeding 235sqm) | Class 1 - Shops |
| Class 3 - Food and drink | Class 2 - Financial, professional and other services |
| General - Sale of hot food for takeaway | Class 2 - Financial, professional and other services |
| Class 5 - General industrial | Class 4 - Business |
| Class 6 - Storage or distribution | Class 4 - Business |
| Class 4 - Business | Class 6 - Storage or distribution |
| Class 5 - General industrial | Class 6 - Storage or distribution |
