Prior approval and notification
Application forms and checklists for prior approval and prior notification.
Certain types of work are permitted development and are granted permission by national legislation without the need to submit a planning application.
In some cases you must still submit either a prior approval or prior notification form before the development takes place. These are listed below.
The quickest and easiest way is to submit your application is online via the Planning Portal.
Please refer to the relevant checklist and apply online.
If you unable to apply online, please download the form below or on the planning portal and either email the completed form to planningreception@westminster.gov.uk or post it to us using the address on the form.
Demolition prior approval
Prior approval for the demolition of buildings in residential use or where the building is adjacent to such a building and is located outside a conservation area. See guidance.
Prior approval of a new development
Larger home extensions
Prior approval for certain types of larger single story rear house extensions outside of a conservation area. See guidance.
Additional storey or storeys to enlarge homes
For erection of up to two additional storeys to enlarge an existing dwelling houses in certain circumstances where they are outside a conservation area, subject to criteria set out in Schedule 2, Part 1, Class AA of the General Development Permitted Order 2015 (as amended).
Upwards extensions to provide new dwellings
For extensions in certain circumstance to certain types of commercial, residential and mixed use buildings outside a conservation area, subject to criteria set out in Schedule 2, Part 20, Classes A, AA, AB, AC and AD of the General Development Permitted Order 2015 (as amended).
Roof mounted Solar PV on non-domestic buildings
For the installation, alteration or replacement of other solar equipment (pv) on roofs of non domestic buildings, up to 1 megawatt capacity.
Collection Facility for a shop
Notification for prior approval for the erection or construction of a collection facility within the curtilage of a shop.
Prior approval for a change of use
Offices to residential
Change to state funded school or nursery
Office, hotels, residential institutions and assembly and leisure to state funded school
Retail and other uses to restaurant/ café
Change of use from retail (Class A1 or A2)/betting office/payday loan shop/casino to restaurants/cafes and associated building operations relating to ventilation/extraction (including provision of external flue) and storage of rubbish.
Retail to assembly/leisure
Prior notification in connection with permitted development for change of use from retail (Class A1 or A2)/betting office/payday loan shop to assembly and leisure
Retail or amusement arcade centre/casino to residential
Prior notification in connection with permitted development for change of use from retail (Class A1 or A2)/betting office/payday loan shop/mixed use combining residential with either of the above to residential and associated building operations reasonably necessary to convert the building to residential use
Checklist; Application form (shops to residential) or Application form (arcade/casino to dwelling)
Prior Approval for temporary changes of use
Temporary use of buildings or land for commercial film making
Temporary school buildings on vacant commercial land
Prior Approval for temporary flexible change of use
Temporary flexible 3 year changes of use from a range of uses to a range of alternative uses as specified in Schedule 2, Part 4, Class D of the General Permitted Development Order as (amended). Notification should be emailed to planningreception@westminster.gov.uk.
Prior notification for telecommunications
Telecommunications
Certain proposed development by telecommunications code systems operators (as specified in schedule 2, Part 14, Class A of the General Permitted Development Order (as amended).
Prior approval is needed for telecommunications equipment such as antennae, cabins and satellite dishes. See guidance.
Statutory undertakers
A number of statutory undertakers such as London Underground and the Utility Companies have permitted development rights to carry out development under the General Permitted Development Order and Acts of Parliament. The council's prior approval is needed for detailed design and external appearance of a new building. This can cover Crossrail proposals, electricity substations, and works to underground stations.
Emergency development to respond to the spread of coronavirus
Since April 2020, the government has introduced a number of new temporary permitted development rights to allow businesses, local authorities, health service bodies and others to carry out development, both for works and changes of use, which support the operation of retail and entertainment and retail businesses at this difficult time and enable activities that help to reduce the spread of coronavirus. The table below sets out the temporary permitted development rights, whether notification to the council is required and when they expire. Where notification is required, we recommend that notification is made by email to PlanningReception@westminster.gov.uk.
|
Notification required? |
Expiry date |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Development by Local Authorities and Health Service Bodies |
Allows local authorities and health service bodies to carry out development - both for works and change of use of facilities required to respond to the spread of coronavirus (under Schedule 2, Part 12A, Class A of the General Permitted Development Order). |
Notification required? No |
Notification required? 31 December 2021 |
| Pubs and Restaurants Permitted to Provide Takeaway Food |
Permits pubs and restaurants to provide takeaway food without the need for planning permission for a temporary period (under Schedule 2, Part 4, Class DA of the General Permitted Development Order). For further advice visit our coronavirus business pages. |
Notification required? Yes – you must notify the local planning authority prior to commencing the takeaway service. |
Notification required? 23 March 2022 |
| Extended Rights for Temporary Use of Land |
Allows the temporary use of land for an additional 28 days per calendar year in addition to that permitted by Class B. Markets can be held for 14 of the additional 28 days. (Under Schedule 2, Part 4, Class BA of the General Permitted Development Order).
|
Notification required? No |
Notification required? 31 December 2021 |
| Extended Rights to Hold Markets for Local Authorities |
Permits Local Authorities to use any land to hold markets for an unlimited period of time until the expiry date (under Schedule 2, Part 12, Class BA of the General Permitted Development Order). |
Notification required? No |
Notification required? 23 March 2021 |
| Development on Crown Land Related to a Pandemic |
Permits development on behalf of the Crown on Crown land to prevent, reduce, control or mitigate the effects of a pandemic. |
Notification required? Yes – notify the local planning authority as soon as practicable after commencement. |
Notification required? Development can be retained for a temporary 12-month period and must be removed thereafter. |
Published: 8 January 2021
Last updated: 9 October 2023
