Development Planning Advice
- How do I get advice on development planning?
- Do I need planning permission for a dropped kerb (vehicular crossover)?
- Which fence belongs to me?
- How high can I erect a fence?
- How do I find out whether or not I need planning permission?
- Why do I need planning permission if the house belongs to me?
Q1. How do I get advice on development planning?
Before submitting a planning application you can obtain advice from the Planning Service.
If it’s general advice you’re looking for or perhaps some assistance completing the necessary forms, please visit:
Planning Reception at North London Business Park (NLBP - see contact information for address details).
- between 2.00pm and 5.15pm , Monday to Thursday,
- and between 2.00pm and 5.00pm on Friday and an officer will be available to assist you.
Discussion in connection with minor schemes (small extensions/ alterations, certificates of lawfulness, minor advertisements / signs, enforcement or advice to any local resident affected by a development) is given free of charge and is given without appointment at the above times.
Pre Application Advice for Large Developments
The Planning Service also provides formalised pre application advice on major, complex or medium scale development proposals and certain planning and development briefs. It is hoped that this scheme will help to speed up the development process and avoid unacceptable proposals.
In order to provide this service to a consistent and high standard, the Council has decided that the cost should be recovered directly and not fall as a general cost to the council taxpayer.
The Council considers such discussions are primarily of benefit to the applicant and indeed may help to minimise their cost of subsequent planning application or avoid submitting one where the proposal is totally unacceptable.
Details of how to make a request for advice can be found by downloading the following:
- Pre-application Meeting Request Form
(PDF 42 KB) - Notes and Charges (PDF 25 KB)
Q2. Do I need planning permission for a dropped kerb (vehicular crossover)?
You may require planning permission if you live on a classified road; if the property is not a single-dwelling house, e.g. flat, maisonette; or if the property is in a conservation area.
Please note in addition to this you will need to make an application to the Council's Highways department for a dropped kerb. This is called a vehicular crossover on the application form.
The contact for this is Barnet Council's Highways and Design Department:
Tel: 020 8359 3024
Q3. Which fence belongs to me?
A. This is a civil matter and nothing to do with local planning authority ('The Council'). You should be able to verify which fence is yours by checking your property deed or by a land search at the Land Registry.
Please note that Land Registry may charge for this information. Their details are as follows:
HM Land Registry
Swansea Office
Ty Bryn Glas
High Street
Swansea
SA1 1PW
Tel: 01792 458877
Fax: 01792 473236
Q4. How high can I erect a fence?
One metre along the front boundary and any boundary abutting a highway;
Two metres on the side and rear boundaries, where not abutting a highway.
Q5. How do I find out whether or not I need planning permission?
I am unable to give a definitive answer to this question as the granting of planning permission depends on a number of factors.
Information is available from the Communities and Local Government website
If you would like to speak to a Planning Officer contact the relavant area team.
You can apply for a 'Certificate of Lawful Development' if you want a formal decision that a proposed development does not require planning permission.
Q6. Why do I need planning permission if the house belongs to me?
Planning is concerned with development, and preserving the character or appearance of an area.
Ownership is not a factor as you can apply for permission on land which you do not own, providing you fill in an Application for Planning Permission, Certificate B Form (TPI2). (PDF 26 KB)
Notice (Owner/Tenant of land) (PDF 18 KB)
For more information contact a Planning Officer from the area team.
