Do You Need Planning Permission to Demolish?

Are you planning to demolish a building? You might need to get official authorisation first. This typically comes in the form of planning permission or a specific consent called 'prior approval'. The exact requirements depend on several key factors, including the building's type, its dimensions, and its location.

Always get in touch with your Local Planning Authority (LPA) – the council department handling local planning – to understand exactly what your demolition project requires. Seeking their guidance early on is crucial and will help you steer clear of any potential legal complications.

Here's a critical point to remember: just because you receive permission to knock down a structure, it doesn't automatically grant you the right to construct a new building on that site. Furthermore, it doesn't guarantee you permission to change the land's purpose. This remains true even if the original structure was damaged beyond repair by a fire or a major storm.