Self Assessment Form Class E
Do I need to apply for planning permission for a new outbuilding/structure or alterations to an
existing outbuilding/structure? (this includes sheds, hobby/home office buildings,
greenhouses and garages as well as other ancillary garden buildings such as swimming
pools, sauna cabins, kennels, enclosures (including tennis courts) and containers for
domestic oil tanks within the curtilage of your dwelling) (Class E).
Please note that this form will not apply for the erection of an annex, the use of an existing
outbuilding as an annex, or the erection/alteration of an outbuilding within the curtilage of a
maisonette or a flat, as an application for planning permission will always be required for
those developments.
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015
(as amended) (GPDO) sets out a series of Permitted development rights. Works that are in
total conformity with these Permitted Development (PD) rights do not require an application
for planning permission. Part 1 Class E sets out the PD rights for ancillary structures within
the curtilage of a dwellinghouse.
If you:
1. can answer ‘no’ to all the following questions; and
2. PD rights have not been removed from the property by means of : an Article 4
direction or a restrictive planning condition;
then an application for planning permission will not be required.
There is also more information available on our website. The government has produced
Technical Guidance relating to Permitted development rights for householders which could
also be of assistance to you.
Please read the Guidance section below carefully as this sets out the basis on which this
advice is given.
For the purposes of this legislation “Original” - means a building as it existed on 1 July 1948
where it was built before that date, and as it was built if built after that date.
If you answer ‘Yes’ to any one of the questions, or do not comply with the conditions (if
relevant), an application for planning permission will be required.
Please check whether your property is located in a conservation area before answering
these questions. You can check this using ‘In My Area’ mapping on our website.
Is the proposal:
1. Within the curtilage of a house which was granted planning permission to be used as
a dwelling under Class M, N, P, PA or Q of Part 3 of the GPDO (changes of use)?
YES/NO
2. Within the curtilage of a listed building? YES/NO
3. Forward of the principal elevation of the original dwelling house? YES/NO
4. Going to be more than 1 storey? YES/NO
5. More than 2.5 metres high at the eaves? YES/NO
6. Over 2.5 metres high and within 2 metres of any boundary at any point? (no part to
exceed this height) YES/NO
Does the proposal:
7. Have a dual pitched roof with an overall height of more than 4 metes? (no part to
exceed this height, this includes a flue, chimney etc.) YES/NO
8. Have any other type of roof (other than a dual pitched roof) e.g. mono-pitch, flat roof
etc. over 3 metres high? (no part to exceed this height, this includes a flue, chimney
etc.) YES/NO
9. Mean that more than 50% of the area of land around the original dwelling would be
covered by extensions or other buildings? YES/NO
10. Involve the construction of verandas or balconies? YES/NO
11. Involve the construction of raised platforms or decking with a height greater than 300
millimeters? YES/NO
12. Involve a microwave antenna
If the proposal is a container (such as a domestic heating oil or liquid petroleum gas storage
container):
13. Does the container have a capacity exceeding 3500 litres? YES/NO
Conservation Areas
If your property is in a Conservation area:
14. Is any part of the proposal on land between a wall that forms a side elevation of the
dwelling house and the boundary? YES/NO
15. Is the property in the conservation area of Brigstock, Duddington, Collyweston, Kings
Cliffe or Easton-on-the-Hill? YES/NO
Extension or alterations to an existing outbuilding
16. Does the proposal involve the extension or alteration of an existing outbuilding where
questions 1 to 15 above (in respect of the existing building) would have to be
answered Yes? YES/NO
Guidance
In using this self assessment form you acknowledge:
• The self assessment form is intended for guidance purposes only and is not binding
in determining whether planning permission is required for a particular proposal. This
self assessment form does not constitute a certificate of lawful development under
either Section 191 or 192 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).
• The self assessment form cannot prejudice any decision that the Local Planning
Authority may make on any subsequently submitted formal application or planning
enforcement investigation.
• The completion of the self assessment form does not imply or signify the agreement
of the Local Planning Authority to any statement given by the applicant.
• Whilst best endeavors are made to ensure the self assessment form is kept accurate
and up to date, this cannot be relied upon.
• Use of the self assessment form is entirely at your own risk. East Northamptonshire
Council accepts no responsibility for any action taken arising from the use of the self
assessment form.
Should you require a legally binding determination of whether planning permission is
required, you may submit an application for a lawful development certificate. Applications
for a certificate of lawful development require a fee and have a target determination period of
8 weeks. Further information can be obtained from our website: https://www.east-
northamptonshire.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?categoryID=200170&documentID
=1572
Please be aware that an application for a certificate of lawful development requires the
applicant to demonstrate why the development will be lawful under planning legislation. The
following tools may be useful in evidencing if a development is lawful:
• The Planning Portals Interactive House
• Government guidance for householders
• The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order
2015
We provide a free service that answers queries which are solely seeking confirmation of
whether any planning conditions restrict the permitted development (PD) rights of a
particular property. Please email [email protected] with the address
of the property, stating that you are seeking confirmation of whether PD rights remain intact.
Before commencing any works you are advised to check your deeds to see if there are any
covenants, private rights of way, or other legal restrictions which would preclude the work
being carried out.
In addition to any permissions that may or may not be required in relation to Planning
legislation the Council’s Building Control team deal with separate Building Regulations
legislation. This legislation secures the health, safety, welfare and convenience for
everyone. Please contact the Building Control team to receive pre-application advice about
Building Regulations and the need for Building Regulations consent. Building Control
helpline 01832 742139.
Our Duty Planning Officer can also offer general planning guidance which you may find
helpful, although they will not be able to confirm whether planning permission is required for
a specific project / proposal. The Duty Planner can be contacted on 01832 742225 Mon,
Tues, Thurs, Fri 9am-1pm Wednesday 9.45am-1pm.
