Homeowners and agents in England
Free lawful development certificate check for England: proposed permitted development or existing use, the 4 and 10 year rules, and the evidence needed.
ePlan fills in
How it works
What you get
The check is free. The paperwork after it is drafted at the Householder appeal statement door.
Modeled on: Planning practice guidance: Lawful development certificates
From public data
after substantial completion is when building work in England becomes immune from enforcement, for work completed on or after 25 April 2024
Source: Town and Country Planning Act 1990, s.171B
Turn a refused extension into a householder appeal statement for the Planning Inspectorate, answering each refusal reason. Free to read, pay to download.
Questions
Anyone can apply to the council for a decision on whether an existing or proposed use or development is lawful. Third-party views on its planning merits are irrelevant: the council decides on the facts and the law.
The test is the balance of probability. Your own evidence doesn't need independent corroboration: if the council has nothing that contradicts it or makes it less than probable, and it is precise and unambiguous, there is no good reason to refuse.
Building work in England completed before 25 April 2024 became immune from enforcement after 4 years. For work completed on or after that date, the limit is 10 years from substantial completion.
Related doors
Which application did the council refuse?
Where is the property?
What work do you plan?
What kind of food business do you run?
Where is the property for the DA?
Where is the property needing consent?
Answer it and ePlan opens the Householder appeal statement door, which drafts the paperwork.