Evy Coe
Planning rules apply to lots of home improvement projects. It’s really important to make sure you know whether planning rules apply to your flooring project, otherwise you might have to get rid of your new flooring later on.
Keep reading to find out how planning rules apply to flooring.
What’s planning permission?
In the UK there are planning laws to regulate urban and rural development. These state which home improvement projects you can do without asking anyone – these are known as permitted developments. They also say which projects you need to get planning permission for.
To get planning permission for a project you need to complete an application and submit it to your local authority. You’ll then need to wait to see whether you’re granted permission before you go ahead and do the work.
Do I need planning permission for my flooring project?
Installing a new floor is usually classed as a permitted development. This means that you don’t need to get planning permission before you do the work.
However, there are some exceptions. If your property is
- Listed; or
- On designated land, such as a national park, conservation area, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or World Heritage Site
Then you might need to apply for planning permission for installing your new flooring.
To find out for sure, you should get in touch with your local authority. They will be able to tell you whether you need to apply for planning permission or not and give you advice on how to do so.
You should be able to find your local authority’s contact details on your local council’s website.
What other regulations apply to my flooring project?
It’s not just planning rules that you need to be aware of before you start your flooring project. You also need to know about building regulations. You can find out about how building regulations apply to flooring here.
