Choosing the right type of planning application

Last Updated: 20 November 2023

This guide will help you to choose the right application type and the right forms for your project.

Use the 'Application types' guidance list below to find out what type of application you need to make.

Then you can find the forms you need and make an application:

You will also need to check our planning application fees.

If you're still not sure which option is right for you please contact us for advice.

Application types

Householder Application

  • if you want to extend an existing dwelling (including dormer windows) or build a new garage/outbuilding in your garden
  • if your dwelling is within the Kendal Conservation Area and you want to replace windows/doors etc
  • if you want to alter or extend a flat you should apply for full planning permission

Full Planning Application

  • if you want to erect a dwelling(s) or other non-domestic building(s) or convert a building or change the use of land or building(s)

Outline Planning Application with all matters reserved

  • if you want us to consider the principle of development before detailed drawings are prepared

Outline Planning Application with some matters reserved

  • if you want us to consider the principle of development before detailed drawings are prepared but you would like us to look at some detailed matters (layout, scale, appearance, access and landscape)
  • we do not accept outline applications for sites within a conservation area or applications for conversions of a building(s)

Approval of reserved matters

  • if you want to get our approval for any of the matters (layout, scale, appearance, access and landscape) not considered under the outline planning application

Listed Building Application

  • if you want to carry out works to a listed building. This includes both internal and external work and works to a building(s) within the curtilage of a listed building. You should also use this type of application if you want to demolish all or part of a listed building
  • you may need to submit either a Householder Application or a Full Application as well

Non Material Amendment Application

  • if you want to make very small changes to a previously approved planning permission
  • all cases are different – a change which may be non-material in one case could be material in another

Application for removal or variation of a condition following grant of planning permission (S.73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990)

  • if you want to make a minor material change (change the condition that relates to the approved plans) to a previously approved planning application or if you want to remove or vary another condition attached to previously approved planning permission
  • you may not choose this type of application to extend the time limit within which an application must be started
  • where an application under S.73 is granted, the effect is the issue of a new planning permission which sits alongside the original permission (this remains intact and un-amended).

Advertisement Consent Application

  • if you want to display a sign or advertisement on land or building(s).

Approval of details reserved by a condition

  • where a condition attached to a planning permission or listed building consent needs further details or a specified aspect of the proposed development was not fully described in the original application
  • you need to submit these details for our approval before you can start work on the development

Prior Notification of agricultural or forestry development for a proposed building

  • if you want to want to erect an agricultural building on agricultural land. There are certain circumstances when you will need to apply for full planning permission

Prior Notification of agricultural or forestry development for a proposed road

  • if you want to create a road or track for agricultural purposes on agricultural land
  • there are certain circumstances when you will need to apply for full planning permission

Prior Notification of proposed development by telecommunications code system operators

  • if you are a provider of electronic networks and you want to install certain telecommunications equipment
  • there are certain circumstances when you will need to apply for full planning permission
  • if you are uncertain whether or not this option is right for you, please contact us for advice

Prior Notification of proposed demolition

  • if you want to demolish a building with a volume of more than 50 cubic metres (measured externally)
  • where the building is a listed building or within a conservation area you will need to submit a listed building application or a full planning application

Notification for Prior Approval of Proposed Change of Use of Agricultural Building to a Dwellinghouse (Use Class C3), and for Associated Operational Development

  • if you want to change an agricultural building into a dwelling or dwellings (maximum of 3)
  • there are certain circumstances where a full planning application will be needed

Notification for Prior Approval for a Proposed Change of Use of a building from Office Use (Class B1(a)) to a Dwellinghouse (Class C3) 

  • if you want to change an office to a dwelling or dwellings
  • there are certain circumstances where a full planning application will be needed

Notification for Prior Approval of a Proposed Larger Home Extension (Neighbour Consultation Scheme) 

  • if you want to add a single storey rear extension of between four and eight metres from the rear wall for detached houses and between three and six metres for all other houses (not flats)
  • there are certain circumstances where a householder application will be needed
  • if you are uncertain whether or not this option is right for you, please contact us for advice

Notification for Prior Approval for a Proposed Change of Use of a Building from Shops (Class A1), Financial and Professional Services (Class A2), a Betting Office, Pay Day Loan Shop, Launderette or a Mixed Use Combining Use as a Dwellinghouse with a Betting Office, Pay Day Loan Shop, Launderette, Shops (Class A1) or Financial and Professional Services (Class A2) to a use falling within Class C3 (Dwellinghouses), and for Associated Operational Development 

  • if you want to change any of the above building uses to a dwelling or dwellings
  • there are certain circumstances where a full planning application will be needed

Notification for Prior Approval of Proposed Change of Use of Agricultural Building to a flexible use within Shops, Financial and Professional services, Restaurants and Cafes, Business, Storage or Distribution, Hotels, or Assembly or Leisure 

  • if you want to change an agricultural building to any of the above uses
  • there are certain circumstances where a full planning application will be needed

Notification for Prior Approval for a Change Of Use from Storage or Distribution Buildings (Class B8) and any land within its curtilage to Dwellinghouses (Class C3) 

  • if you want to change storage or distribution building to a dwelling or dwellings
  • there are certain circumstances where a full planning application will be needed

Notification for Prior Approval for the Installation, Alteration or Replacement of other Solar Photovoltaics (PV) equipment on the Roofs of Non-domestic Buildings, up to a Capacity of 1 Megawatt 

  • if you want to install, alter or replace solar photovoltaics equipment (max capacity of 1 megawatt) on the roof of a building (not a dwelling)
  • there are certain circumstances where a full planning application will be needed

Lawful Development Certificate for a proposed use or development

  • if you want to be certain that a development or use you propose does not need planning permission
  • It is not compulsory to have a Lawful Development Certificate but you may need to confirm that a use or alteration to your property/land did not need planning permission
  • this is often the case when selling a property or land.

Lawful Development Certificate for an existing use or operation

  • if you want to be certain that the existing use of a building or land is lawful under planning legislation.

Application for works to trees subject to a tree preservation area (TPO) or in a conservation area

  • if you want to trim, lop or fell a tree(s) protected by a TPO or in a conservation area

Hedgerow removal notice

  • if you want to remove a hedgerow or part of a hedgerow
  • not used for garden hedges

Application to modify or discharge a planning obligation agreed under S.106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990

  • if there is a legal agreement attached to a planning permission that you want to remove or modify. This may include local occupancy or affordable housing

Permission in principal