Important changes to submissions from 10 August 2006
Design and Access Statements (.pdf, 39Kb) will be required for all applications except:
- Changes of use not involving operational development
- Engineering or mining operations
- Householder development, unless it is within a conservation area or Site of Special Scientific Interest.
These are also being changed. Reserved matters will now be:
- layout
- scale
- appearance
- access and landscaping.
Outline applications will require a minimum amount of information to be validated:
- use(s)
- amount of development
- indicative layout
- scale parameters
- indicative access points
Extensions and alterations to dwellings
Extending or altering an existing building or erecting another building on the same site may or may not require planning permission depending on a number of things.
When you ask us whether your proposals need permission, we may need to know the following:
- whether your dwelling has been extended, and if a garage has been added since the house was built;
- the type of your property - whether it is a flat, terrace, semi-detached or detached. (Note - extending a flat or altering its external appearance always requires planning permission);
- size of your garden;
- the size of the extension. The position of the extension in relation to the house and where the boundaries of any adjoining property are;
- its distance from any existing garage and the size of the garage;
- the distance between the house and any nearby road; and
- all the external measurements of the existing dwelling may also be required.
Tall building proposals
Wigan Council is currently preparing a Planning Advice Note on Applications for Tall Buildings. The document will be used as a guide for both development control officers and developers on what additional information should be submitted with an application for a tall building.
The Council is currently inviting comments on the draft, which should be sent to environmentalservices@wigan.gov.uk on or before 4 April 2008.
Re-building
Re-building of a demolished or partly demolished building will require planning permission, for example, rebuilding of a barn.
Demolition
There are special procedures to control the demolition of any building. You should always check with the council before you demolish a building. There are additional controls over demolition in conservation areas and for listed buildings.
Other building works
Planning permission may also be required for other types of building work such as structural alterations to a building. Generally, if you are thinking of any work which would be carried out by a builder you should enquire whether planning permission and approval under the Building Regulations is required.
Change of use
Changing the use of a building or a piece of land may well need planning permission, for example, converting a barn to a house or changing a piece of farmland into a garden. If you have a large house and intend to sub-divide it into flats, you will also need to apply for planning permission.
Other minor changes
Planning permission may be needed for the erection of walls or fences, depending on their height and location.
Conversion of properties to flats - Planning guidelines
The council has adopted guidelines when considering planning applications for flat conversion schemes. Ask us for a copy.
Permitted Development
There are certain types of alterations and additions which can be made to a dwelling without the need for planning permission. This is called Permitted Development. In conservation areas the allowances for Permitted Development are much smaller or may have been removed, therefore you should check whether you live in such an area.
- Garages may not need permission depending on their size and distance from the dwelling and the road.
- Extensions may not need permission depending on their volume (measured in cubic metres), height and distance from the boundary of the property and the size and position of any existing garage or exterior. Allowances are less for terraced houses. Along with outbuildings, extensions which occupy more than half the area of your garden require planning permission.
- Conservatories count as extensions if attached to the house or within 5 m of it.
- Satellite dishes - see separate leaflet.
- Lofts and dormers may not need permission depending on the additional volume, height and whether the extension faces the road.
- Porches need permission if more than 3 square metres area, 3 metres high and less than 2 metres from the boundary with the road.
- Paths and hardstandings are permitted, but access to a classified or trunk road will need permission. Dropped kerbs need the consent of Engineering Services.
- Fences and walls need permission on open plan housing estates, or if above 1 metre high within 2 metres of a road or footpath or above 2 metres high elsewhere.
How to submit a planning application online
Applications can be submitted via the Planning Portal (external link).
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