When Can I Use a Prior Approval Notice?

A prior approval notice is a notification you submit to your local planning authority before starting certain types of development. It's not the same as planning permission, but it allows you to check that your project is acceptable in principle before investing time and money into more detailed plans.

When Can I Use a Prior Approval Notice?

You can use a prior approval notice for a variety of developments, including:

• House extensions: You can use prior approval for extensions of up to 8 metres to the rear of a detached house, or 6 metres to the rear of any other house.
• Loft conversions: You can use prior approval for loft conversions that don't involve raising the roof or adding dormers.
• Change of use: You can use prior approval to change the use of a building from one type to another, for example from a shop to a restaurant.
• Demolition: You can use prior approval to demolish a building if it is not listed or in a conservation area.

When Can't I Use a Prior Approval Notice?

It's important to note that you cannot use prior approval for all types of development. For example, you cannot use it for:

• New build houses
• Major extensions or alterations to listed buildings
• Development in conservation areas
• Development in areas of outstanding natural beauty

Why is it Good to Use Prior Approval Notice?

Here are some of the benefits of using a prior approval notice:

• It can save you time and money: By checking that your project is acceptable in principle before you start work, you can avoid the risk of having to submit a full planning application that is then rejected.
• It can give you certainty: Knowing that your project is likely to be approved can give you the confidence to proceed with your plans.
• It can help you to improve your plans: The feedback you receive from the planning authority during the prior approval process can help you to make changes to your plans that will make them more likely to be approved.
• The types of reports that the planning authority can ask for is restricted, or at least in practice limited to flood risk assessments, contaminated land reports and in very few cases daylight assessments.

Some Things to Consider before Submitting a Prior Approval Notice

Make sure you are eligible: 

• Check that the type of development you are planning is covered by prior approval.
• Follow the correct procedure: There is a specific process for submitting a prior approval notice. You can find details on your local planning authority's website.
• Be prepared to provide information: You will need to provide the planning authority with a number of documents, including plans, drawings, and a description of your proposal.
• Pay the fee: There is a fee for submitting a prior approval notice. The fee varies depending on the type of development you are planning.

The below section was written by a machine.

Prior Approval Notice: Navigating Technical Requirements

A Prior Approval Notice is a mandatory procedure for certain types of development under Permitted Development (PD) rights. While this route is often more streamlined than a full planning application, the Local Planning Authority (LPA) still requires detailed technical evidence to ensure that the development is suitable for its intended use and location.

The Situation: 20 Years On

Reflecting on the planning landscape from twenty years ago, Permitted Development was largely restricted to minor household extensions and agricultural storage. Today, the situation has been transformed by the expansion of General Permitted Development Orders (GPDO), such as Class MA (Commercial to Residential) and Class Q (Agricultural to Residential). We have moved from an era of simple "exemptions" to a model where technical reports for flood risk, contamination, and noise are strictly enforced as part of the Prior Approval process. The hurdle has moved from basic zoning to a requirement for "habitability" evidence that was previously only requested during full planning. Prior Approval now requires professional sign-off on technical data that was not standardized for these types of conversions two decades ago.

Technical Evidence Required for Prior Approval

Even under Permitted Development, the LPA must be satisfied on specific "Prior Approval" matters before work can commence. This typically includes:

• Transport and Highways Impact: Demonstrating that the change of use will not cause significant harm to the local road network.
• Contamination Risks: A mandatory Phase 1 Desktop Study is often required to ensure the site is safe for its new occupants, particularly for agricultural or industrial conversions.
• Flood Risk Assessment (FRA): If the site is located in Flood Zone 2 or 3, or in a critical drainage area, a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment is required to prove the development will be safe for its lifetime.
• Noise Impact: Assessing whether noise yfrom existing commercial or industrial neighbors will impact the amenity of new residential units.

At Southwest Environmental Limited (SWEL), we provide the technical authority required to satisfy the conditions of a Prior Approval Notice. With over 15 years of industry experience and 900+ projects delivered, we help planners and developers secure approval by providing robust, accredited reports. By linking these assessments with a technical Planning Statement, we ensure your project navigates the PD route with technical certainty.