There are different types of planning applications which are described in brief below: 

Planning application for householder permission
This is an application specifically designed for homeowners carrying out work to an individual home (house, bungalow or flat).  This includes extensions, loft conversions, garages and outbuildings within garden areas (this does not include paddocks, fields or woodland, even if in your ownership), fences and walls, access and hardstanding, decking, balconies, satellite dishes, solar panels and other microgeneration.

Planning application for full permission
This is the most common type of permission in which the full details of a proposal are submitted for consideration.

Types of development that require an application for full permission to be made include most non-householder developments, new housing development, temporary planning permission and changing the use of a building or site.

Note: If you are extending or altering an existing residential dwelling, you should submit a householder application. Please see above.

Application for listed building consent
You will need to apply for this consent for:

• any works to partially or completely demolish a listed building;
• any other works to a listed building (internal or external), for its alteration or extension, if the works are considered to affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. 

The 'listed building' includes:

• the whole building externally and internally;
• any object or structure fixed to it; and
• any other object or structure which has been in its curtilage since 1948.  This may include for e.g.walls, outbuildings & garden statues.
  
  

Note: This consent will often need to be applied for, in addition to full planning permission (including householder permission).

Application for conservation area consent
You will need to apply for this consent for any of the following categories of work:

• demolition of any building of more than 115 cubic metres in volume (measured externally), or any part of such a building;
• total demolition of any other building;
• demolition of entire building except the facade, prior to redevelopment;
• other partial demolition if the works amount to a building operation;
• any gate, wall or fence or means of enclosure which is more than 1 metre high where it abuts onto a highway (including a public footpath or bridleway), waterway or open space, or more than 2 metres high in any other case;
• works to alter features of buildings, means of enclosure or other details, that may have been specifically protected under article 4 directions which removes certain permitted development rights.  This applies in some conservation areas.  Please check under conservation areas and article 4(2) directions where this may apply for further details.
• demolition of any pre-1914 building in use, or last used, for the purposes of agriculture or forestry. 
  

Note: Not all applications in a conservation area require conservation area consent.  Certain works will also require planning permission.

Lawful development certificates
If you want to be certain that the existing use of a building is lawful in terms of planning, or that your proposal for work to a building or site does not require planning permission, you can apply for a lawful development certificate.  This type of application is a legal determination and takes 8 weeks to determine.  It is not compulsory to have this certificate but there may be times when you need one to confirm that the use, operation or activity named is lawful for planning control purposes.

Lawful development certificates for a proposed use
If you wish to gain a formal view as to whether or not planning permission is required for proposed work you will need to submit a "lawful development certificate for a proposed use or development" in order to obtain a legal determination.

Lawful development certificates for an existing use
If the works have already been completed for the requisite period then you would need to apply for an existing use.  For operational development or change of use to a single dwelling house evidence needs to be provided for 4 years.  In respect of other changes of use and breaches of conditions, evidence needs to be provided for 10 years.

You must provide us with sufficient factual information for us to consider your application.  The onus of proof is on the applicant.  Information might include the following:

• sworn affidavits from previous employees or neighbouring residents
• suppliers who had had dealings with the business in the past
• contractors who had had dealings with the business in the past
• receipts of invoices for goods and services
• vehicle registration documents
• VAT receipts for commercial businesses or residential premises
• previous rates (council tax, community charge bills)
• any dated photos indicating the previous use of the site or buildings
• original property sales details relating to the land or buildings
• utility bills 

Application for advertisement consent
You will need to apply for this permission to display an advertisement.  Further advice on which adverts need permission is available in Outdoor advertisements and signs (this page opens in a new window).

Note: If the property is a listed building, you will also need to apply for listed building consent to display an advert on a building.

Planning application for outline permission
You will need to apply for this permission if you want to establish whether development is acceptable in principle.  This type of permission is usually sought for larger schemes (for example housing developments).  The types of plans and documents required for this type of application are summarised in the validation requirements.

There are two different application forms for outline permission: outline with all matters reserved or outline with some matters reserved. The application form lists the reserved matters for which approval can be sought:

• access;
• appearance;
• landscaping;
• layout;
• scale.

Note: Outline applications cannot be submitted for a change of use.  Also, in certain cases, for example, in a conservation area, an outline application is not appropriate and an application for full permission will be required.

Planning application for approval of reserved matters
In this type of application an applicant is seeking approval for the detailed scheme known as 'reserved matters', for which the outline scheme has already been approved.  The reserved matters application must be made within three years of the outline permission.

Application to carry out works to a tree protected by a tree preservation order (TPO) or in a conservation area
You will need to apply for this permission to carry out work to any tree that is protected by a TPO or any tree that is in a conservation area.

Note: There is a separate procedure if the tree is dead, dying or dangerous. In these circumstances, you are required to give us five working days notice in writing of any proposed works.  This should be accompanied by a description of proposed works, a sketch plan showing the location of the tree, species (if known) and photographs.

Removal or variation of a condition
This type of application is for the removal or variation of a condition following the grant of planning permission.  Common conditions which are varied or removed include hours of opening and occupancy restrictions. Conditions on the earlier permission will be reimposed if found to be still relevant.

Prior notifications
These types of applications are seeking a decision as to whether or not prior approval is required for a very limited number of non-householder applications.  These are as follows:

1. Application for agricultural or forestry development. In the first instance, you may wish to submit a letter and detailed plans to ascertain whether a prior notification application is required. This category includes the following types of development:
   
   • proposed building
   • proposed road
   • proposed excavation / waste material
   • proposed fish tank
     
2. Proposed development by electronic communications code operators.
   
3. Proposed demolition for a building (including dwellings) without an associated application for planning permission.

Planning Services
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
GU2 4BB

Tel: 01483 444609
Email: planningenquiries@guildford.gov.uk