Planning House are pleased to announce the successful outcome of a Certificate of Lawful Development (Existing) for a range of works and alterations to a detached property in the village of Marton, West Lindsey.
The Works Undertaken
Our client had carried out several alterations and improvements to the dwelling and its outbuilding, including:
- Bricking up the garage door and replacing it with a window;
- Re-roofing to the outbuilding;
- Changing the use of the outbuilding from a garage to a games room, and from a store to a home office;
- Laying gravel to the front of the property; and
- Installing CCTV cameras on the dwelling.
Understanding Lawfulness
Under Section 191 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, a certificate of lawfulness can be granted where works or uses are lawful — meaning no enforcement action can be taken and planning permission is not required.
For such applications, the decision is not based on planning policies or subjective merits, but instead on the evidence provided. The test is whether, on the balance of probability, the works are lawful. In this case all of the works fell within the criteria outlined in the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) 2015 (as amended), which specifies what development is permitted development, ie that which does not require planning permission as it has already been granted by the GPDO.
The Outcome
West Lindsey District Council concluded that all the alterations complied with permitted development rights under the GPDO. Accordingly, a Certificate of Lawfulness was issued confirming that the works were lawful.
Why This Matters
Securing a lawful development certificate provides peace of mind for homeowners, confirming that works already carried out are lawful in planning terms. This not only safeguards against enforcement action but also provides valuable assurance when selling or refinancing a property.
If you’re unsure whether your property alterations require planning permission or could benefit from a lawful development certificate, Planning House can help. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
Related Content:
Our FREE Practical Guides cover the basics of for Certificate of Lawful Existing Use or Development (CLEUD) is available on our website, along with a number of articles in our Certificate of Lawfulness Collection.
