You will need planning permission if you want to:

• build something new
• make a major change to your building e.g. build an extension
• change the use of your building

In some circumstances, permitted development rights allow certain types of work to take place without the need for planning permission, although these do not always apply in National Parks. The Planning Portal website contains excellent guidance so you can quickly find out whether you need planning permission for yourself.

To help you further as to whether planning permission is required we have included some of the most frequently asked questions:

Do I need planning permission or building regulations approval?

Do I need Listed Building Consent?

Do I need planning permission for solar panels?

Do I need planning permission for wind turbines?

Do I need planning permission to apply external wall insulation to my building?

What information do I need to submit with my planning application?

How do I research the planning history of my property?

Can you recommend a professional to help me with my application?

Can I have some information on a pop-up campsite?

If, having reviewed this page, you consider planning permission is required you may wish to view our planning advice to view our policies, guidance and information regarding our pre-application service.

Do I need planning permission or building regulations approval?

Planning permission and building regulations are two separate things, both are generally required for building work or alterations to properties.

Building regulations set standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure the safety and health for people using those buildings. They also include requirements for the conservation of fuel and power and provision of disabled access.

Planning seeks to guide the way our towns, villages and countryside develop. Planning, therefore, controls the use of land and buildings, the appearance of buildings and their surroundings, highway access and the impact a development will have on the general environment.

For many types of building work, separate permission under both planning and building regulations will be required. Where building work only involves internal alterations, building regulations approval may only be needed. If you are in any doubt which you need you can seek planning advice from us, your local planning authority, or contact your local building control body, such as Devon Building Control Partnership.

Do I need Listed Building Consent?

Listed building consent is required for all works of demolition, alteration or extension to a listed building that affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest.

The reuirement applies to all types of works and to all parts of those buildings covered by the listing protection, possibly including attached and curtilage buildings or other structures located in close proximity to the listed building. Further information on whether listed building consent is required and what development proposals may be acceptable can found on  Historic  England's website.

If you need advice from our Building Conservation Officer on any plans you have for a listed building please contact planning@dartmoor.gov.uk.

Do I need planning permission for solar panels?

• If you are installing, altering or replacing solar panels on a house, block of flats, or a building situated within the curtilage of a house or block of flats, you only need to apply for planning permission if:
  • the equipment will protrude more than 20cm from the wall or roof slope
  • in the case of equipment installed on a pitched roof, the highest part of the equipment will be higher then the highest part of the roof, not including the chimney
  • the equipment would be installed on a building within the curtilage of a house or block of flats that is a listed building

The equipment must, so far as practicable, be styles so as to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area, and the equipment must be removed as soon as possible, when it's no longer needed.

Where the equipment is to be installed on a flat roof, before beginning works, you must apply for a determination as to whether the prior approval of the local planning authority will be required with respect to the impact of the appearance of the equipment on that land.

• If you are Installing, altering or replacing solar equipment on the ground, within the curtilage of a house or block of flats you only need planning permission if:
  • in the case of installation, there's already a stand-alone ground-mounted solar equipment installation within the curtilage of the property
  • any part of the equipment is taller than 4 metres
  • the equipment would be installed within a conservation area, closer to a highway than the house or block of flats, and would be taller than 2 metres
  • the length, height or depth of any part of the installation is more than 3m
  • the surface area of the solar panels is more than 9 square metres
  • any part of the equipment is within 5m of the boundary of the property's curtilage
  • the installation is within the curtilage of a listed building or scheduled monument
  • any part of the equipment would be closer to the road than the closest part of the main property

The equipment must, so far as is practicable, be sited so as to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area, and the equipment must be removed as soon as possible, when it's no longer needed.

Where the equipment is to be installed within a conservation area, closer to a highway than the house or block of flats, before beginning work, you must apply for a determination as to whether the prior approval of the local planning authority will be required with respect to the impact of the appearance of the equipment on the character of the conservation area.

Please Note: Application for prior approval should be submitted through the Planning Portal website. The Planning Portal will guide you through the application submission and what you will need to submit with your application.

Do I need planning permission for wind turbines?

Yes, you will need planning permission for the installation of a wind turbine.

Do I need planning permission for an air source heat pump?

You only need planning permission for Installation, alteration or replacement of an air source heat pump on or within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse or a block of flats if:

• the air source heat pump would not comply with the MCS planning standards or equivalent standards
• in the case of installation, there's already an air source heat pump on the same building or within the curtilage of the house or block of flats;
• in the case of installation, a wind turbine is installed on the same building or within the curtilage of the house or block of flats;
• the volume of the air source heat pump’s outdoor compressor unit (including any housing) would exceed 0.6 cubic metres;
• the air source heat pump would be installed within 1 metre of the boundary of the curtilage of the house or block of flats;
• the air source heat pump would be installed on a pitched roof.
• the air source heat pump would be installed on a flat roof where it would be within 1 metre of the external edge of that roof;
• the air source heat pump would be installed on a site designated as a scheduled monument;
• the air source heat pump would be installed on a building or on land within the curtilage of a house or block of flats that is a listed building
• the air source heat pump would be installed on a wall which fronts a highway and would be above the level of the ground floor storey
• the air source heat pump would be installed within a conservation area and would be installed on a wall or a roof which fronts a highway, or would be installed so that it is nearer to highway than the house or block of flats

The air source heat pump must: be used solely for heating purposes; be sited, so far as practicable, so as to minimise its effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area; and must be removed as soon as reasonably practicable when no longer needed.

Do I need planning permission to apply external insulation to my building?

Planning permission is required where the external wall insulation would materially affect the external appearance of the building.

This means that the external finish of the cladding would have to match the external appearance of the existing building to not require planning permission. If you are in doubt or require written confirmation from the authority that your proposed external wall installation does not need planning permission, you are advised to submit an application for a lawful development certificate.

What information do I need to submit with my planning application?

Your application must be made up of the following:

• a completed application form
• the correct fee
• a site location plan and site plan
• plans of the site which allow us to fully understand the proposals
• any required supporting documentation set out in our local validation list

You can submit your planning application online via the Planning Portal.

Further advice on making a planning application and the details required to accompany it, can be found on our Planning Validation Checklist.

How do I research the planning history of my property?

Using our planning application search facility you can view the planning history of a site. Where applications or certain documents aren’t available, you can view them at our offices. If you would like to view documents at our offices please arrange a booking in advance.

Can you recommend a professional to help me with my application?

The skills of an architect and/or planning consultant can be invaluable in developing ideas and presenting information. However, before you appoint a consultant be sure they have experience in the type of development you are bringing forward. For example, if your project involves alterations to a listed building we would advise appointing a professional who specialises in conservation and heritage development.

As a public Authority we are unable to recommend a particular architect or planning consultant. You can however use the following directories to search for professionals in your area:

> The Architects’ Registration Board

> RTPI Directory of Planning Consultants

> IHBC Historic Environment Service Provider

Can I have some information on a pop-up campsite?

please see our po-up campsite page for more details

> Pop-up Campsites | Dartmoor

As the owner of the property or land in question you are responsible for complying with the relevant planning rules. If you don’t comply you will be liable for any remedial action you have to take (which could go as far as demolition and/or restoration).

For more information on building control please visit LABC Front Door | Home improvements & building regulations advice for homeowners and builders. LABC is a not-for-profit membership organisation that represents all local authority building control teams in England and Wales (with around 3,800 members in their national network). Their local teams will work with you to help you comply with the building regulations.