Development includes most building and engineering works, various operations, and material changes in the use of buildings or land. This means most improvements or extensions to a property are development – even the construction of a garden shed or the installation of CCTV for instances. Many changes of use are also development. A planning application to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) is often needed.
However, an application to the LPA is not necessarily required if legislation already grants permission for the development concerned. This is known as ‘permitted development’.
Most interior works to a building are not classed as development, although you may require other forms of consent (such as listed building consent or building regulations approval).
The display of advertisements is also controlled by planning legislation, although Deemed Consent provisions allow for many to bypass the requirement for an application.
Works to protected trees and hedgerows also requires the consent of the LPA.