London Borough of Croydon

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Introduction 

These notes are a guide to the planning system for businesses. They provide guidance on when planning permission is required, how to make a planning application, and what happens afterwards. However, it is not an authoritative interpretation of the law. You do not always need planning permission. It is not required, generally speaking, for changes to the inside of buildings, or for small alterations to the outside such as the installation of telephone connections and alarm boxes. Other small changes, for example putting up boundary walls and fences below a certain height, have a general planning permission for which a specific application is not required. Businesses needing further advice on making a planning application are welcome to contact Planning Control. 

Why Planning Permission?

The planning system is used to make sure that things get built in the right place.  It helps to balance the developments the country needs, for example, new homes, factories, offices and schools, with our need to protect and improve the environment. This balance is essential to ensure that development and growth are environmentally sustainable; that is, meeting the needs of the present without affecting the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It does not control how a building is constructed that is the function of the Building Regulations. There are separate systems governing the display of outdoor advertisements, developments affecting listed buildings and demolition of unlisted buildings in conservation areas.

Development Plans

Each council must prepare and adopt a development plan for its area, which will include policies relating to commercial and industrial development. The plan provides the basis for rational and consistent planning decisions by giving details of what types of development will and will not be permitted in the area. The public and businesses are encouraged to become involved in preparing the plans so that they can have a say in how their area is developed.

Planning Applications

You apply to your council for planning permission. Planning applications are decided in line with the development plan unless there are very good reasons not to do so. Points that will be looked at include the following:

  • number, size, layout, siting and external appearance of buildings;
  • proposed means of access, landscaping and impact on the neighbourhood;
  • availability of infrastructure, such as roads and water supply; and
  • proposed use of the development

Practical advice can be found from the Business Link website.

For further information for businesses you can go to the  Planning Portal website.

Contact Details

Contact name
Planning and Transportation Department
Department
Planning and Transportation
Telephone
020 8726 6800
Fax
020 8760 5406
Email
planning.control@croydon.gov.uk
Address
Taberner House
Park Lane
Croydon CR9 1JT
Website
www.croydon.gov.uk/planning

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