Many will associate the need to acquire planning permission with new builds, extensions and extensive modifications. However planning consent is also required for the type of use you put your property to and in some situations you may need change the properties existing permissions in order to conduct your business from there.

If you plan to carry out any building works you will need to check whether it needs permission, many small alterations don’t but there are some alterations which you might not realise require permission, such as increasing the height of fencing or erecting a sign of a certain size. You will need to check whether your planned works will require permission and obtain them before starting any work.

In many cases new tenants won’t need to acquire new permission for their intended use, many industrial buildings for example will likely already have multiple permissions which cover the majority of businesses operating a workshop or warehouse. However if you plan to add a trade counter for example, it will likely need a change of permission. You should check whether your intended use needs permission and obtain it before committing to a tenancy.

For use classes refer to ‘The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987’, which is is available from our Forms section.

If you have any questions about planning matters, you should contact your local council. Generally your local authority planning department will be helpful. You should be able to write to them and receive free informal advice, on whether planning permission is likely to be granted, providing you supply all the information available.

Wyre Borough Development Control Contact:

Planning Department

Wyre Borough Council

Civic Centre

Breck Road

Poulton-le-Fylde

Lancashire

FY6 7PU

Telephone: 01253 891000