Do I still need planning permission ?

hilda1

Hi all,

I moved into my current property over 10 years ago.

Before I moved in, I had an issue with regards my 'new' property in that the porch had not been granted planning permission before I moved in.

In order to speed the process up, I agreed with my property lawyers firm (not sure if this is the correct description but they did searches, sent questions to the property owner, etc.) that I would sign a document to absolve them for responsibility. For info, I never signed anything and I didn't bother chasing the firm as my focus was getting the deal completed a.s.a.p.

I am lead to believe that after a few years, planning permission is made obsolete.

I would be grateful if someone could confirm and, if my assumption is correct, whether I need to approach my local council in order to get my porch formally signed off.

Many thanks.

planning_officer

After 4 years, it becomes immune from enforcement action - so you have nothing to worry about, especially as your paperwork will confirm it's presence 10 years ago. That is of course if it ever needed permission in the first place! If it does not exceed 3m in height, 3 sqm in external area, and no part of it is within 2m of the boundary with a highway, then it would have been permitted development when it was first built anyway, so there would have been no need to apply for planning permission!

Whatever the case, you can't just approach the council to 'get it signed off'. If it in fact needed planning permission originally, as I say above, it's now immune from any action - you can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate to prove this if you really want to, but not worth it in my opinion - it will cost you £150 and you need scaled plans of the porch, plus enough evidence to show it's been there for over 4 years.

molerat

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