Planning permission is normally required for development. The relevant legislation does however state that there are certain types of development that do not require permission. Such work is called 'permitted development'. Whilst there is permitted development rights affecting many types of development i.e. agriculture and industrial development, the most common query is in respect of work to dwellings.

We are always pleased to be able to help and would also take the opportunity to consider whether any other consents might be required i.e. Building Regulations approval.

Prior to making an application benefit might come from discussing your proposal with a planner. Such discussion is welcomed and encouraged. A planner will be available at the Town Hall, Workington to talk to any resident of the borough or business, about proposals to alter, extend or in some way develop their property and, if planning permission is required, how it can be obtained. Developers and professional advisor are asked to make an appointment with an officer familiar with the particular area to help discussion to be of maximum benefit. Simple enquiries can be dealt with by email or telephone (see details at the bottom of this page).

Advice given will be accurate and objective but will be without prejudice to the formal consideration of any subsequent application. We can give you information about relevant planning policies and previous decisions and, where appropriate, our standards for such matters as car parking. Advice will also be given on the likely time scale for dealing with the planning application and the procedures to follow.

The Authority actively encourages the submission of applications on line. Further information can be found at Planning Portal on registering an application.

In order that an application, once received, can be formally registered there is a minimum amount of information that must be received. This information varies depending on the application. The information is detailed on the 'Validation Checklists'. These are available at Council offices or can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.

An application has to be made on the right forms. Notes for applicants and the planning application forms or other relevant forms are available from Allerdale House or can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.

As well as the actual form of application it is necessary to sign a certificate either confirming that you are the owner of the application site or that you have given notice to the owner and who that owner is. In addition to the forms it is necessary to submit an accurate site plan clearly defining the boundaries of the application site in red and any other land in your ownership in blue. If you do not have a site plan Ordnance Survey map extracts can be bought from the offices at Allerdale House. Six sets of the site plan and six sets of detailed and to scale drawings of what is proposed must accompany the application. In most cases it is necessary for a fee to be submitted with your application in accordance with the schedule of fees. A Design and Access Statement may also be required. If you are in any doubt as to what is required or what the planning fee should be a planner will help you.

If you appoint an agent to act on your behalf, which can prove helpful, all correspondence will be sent to the agent who will also be contacted if information or amendments are needed. It is your agents' responsibility to keep you informed of progress with your application.

You or your appointed agent will be informed, normally within three working days, if any further information is required to make your application valid. If the requested information is not received within 15 working days the application will be returned.

Valid applications will be registered and acknowledged within three working days. The acknowledgement will set out your rights and give a date by which you should have received a decision.

If the application is for a proposal that does not require planning permission you will be told about this within five working days and any planning fee paid will be refunded.

We will try to deal with your application within eight weeks although this will not be always possible.

We publicise applications and seek the views of neighbours before making a decision. Your application will be available for inspection at Allerdale House and on this site.

Consultation letters will be sent within five working days and if appropriate site and press notices will be displayed within ten working days. Consultees will normally be allowed twenty-one days to comment. If amended plans are received and re-consultation is considered appropriate then a reduced time for responding may be imposed.

The planning officer will normally inspect the application site. If access to the property is required the applicant or their agent will be contacted as soon as possible to make arrangements. If further information or amendments are required to the proposal these will be explained to the applicant, normally within 28 days. It may be necessary to await the end of the consultation period before making contact.

Normally fifteen days will be allowed for the submission of the detail requested. If at the end of that period the detail has not been received the council may determine the application as submitted.

Applications will only be refused permission if they are unacceptable in principle or the necessary amendments cannot be agreed.

Whilst the planner dealing with your application may express views on the proposals, a formal decision can only be made by the Council's Development Panel or by the Head of Planning Services under powers delegated to him by Council. (Scheme of Delegation in Respect of Planning and Building Control Matters)

If the proposal is one to be considered by the Development Panel then objectors will be given the opportunity to address the meeting. If that occurs the applicant will be given the right to reply. There are agreed rules covering the opportunity to address the Development Panel.

Anybody can offer comments on planning applications. The comments can either be in support of or against a proposal. Regard is always had to the comments of people who might be affected by development. The Council welcomes such involvement from its residents.

Comments must be put in writing to the Head of Planning Services at Allerdale House. Comments should be restricted to the merits of the development proposed. It is desirable that comments are submitted on line either be e-mail to planning@allerdale.gov.uk or via the link on the actual planning application page.

Any comments received will be placed on the planning files and will be available for public inspection.

There is a limited time to make comments. Comments received after that time may not be taken account of.

A decision will normally be issued within three days of it being made. Those individuals who offered comments on the proposal will not normally be informed of the decision. The outcome of decisions can be found on this site.

If it was necessary to refuse permission or to add condition to a permission the reason will be clearly explained and if there are any queries then a planning officer will be available to answer them.

A copy of the decision is available for public inspection.

Details of the minutes and agendas of meetings of the Development Panel can be accessed via Development Panel.

There is a right of appeal against a refusal of planning permission. A similar right exists in respect of conditions that might have been added to a permission. Details of how to appeal will be given with the decision notice.

Even if an appeal has been lodged the council is willing, when appropriate, to see if the reason for refusal can be overcome and a new application submitted.

Only the applicant has a right of appeal. There is no third party right of appeal.

For further information on rights of appeal or the various forms that an appeal takes visit www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk.   

Information on the most recent applications to be received can be found in our weekly lists of applications, major development list and search planning applications pages.

If you then have any particular questions regarding the application then do not hesitate to get in touch. It would enable a prompter response if you were able to quote the particular application reference number.