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  1. Welcome to Planning Portal
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  3. Commercial or residential developments

Commercial or residential developments

Guidance and tools for planning and building experts

Whatever the project you are taking on for a client, whether it's a change of use, domestic single-storey extensions, loft conversions, housing developments, or retail outlets - our planning and building application service, calculators, and comprehensive planning and building regulations guidance will guarantee compliance throughout the project's lifecycle and lead you confidently to completion.

Need planning advice?

Book a call with a planning expert for tailored support on your home or commercial project.

Speak to an expert (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/planning-guidance-service)

Speak to an expert
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    Strategy and design

    Learn about the finer details of planning a building project. Learn about what you need to consider before you start work and what policies and charges that may apply, including the Community Infrastructure Levy. 


    Sell your site (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/commercial-developments/sell-your-site)

    Sell your site

    Speak to an expert (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/planning-guidance-service)

    Speak to an expert

    Understanding and assessing flood risk (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/commercial-developments/understanding-and-assessing-flood-risk)

    Understanding and assessing flood risk

    Biodiversity Net Gain (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/commercial-developments/biodiversity-gain-tool)

    Biodiversity Net Gain

    Project planning (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/commercial-developments/project-planning)

    Project planning

    Project viability (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/commercial-developments/project-viability)

    Project viability

    Design (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/commercial-developments/design)

    Design

    Make an application (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/applications)

    Make an application
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        Build

        This section outlines exemptions from the regulations and what happens if you don't get approval. You can access all seventeen approved documents and their supporting or split sub-categories, find guidance about insurance and a comprehensive menu of online tools to support your project. 


        Structural warranties (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/commercial-developments/structural-warranties)

        Structural warranties

        Groundwater protection (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/commercial-developments/understanding-groundwater-protection)

        Groundwater protection

        Land contamination (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/commercial-developments/land-contamination)

        Land contamination

        Building regulations (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/applications/building-control-applications/building-control/building-regulations)

        Building regulations

        Your responsibilities (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/responsibilities)

        Your responsibilities

        Approved documents (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/applications/building-control-applications/building-control/approved-documents)

        Approved documents

        Professional Portal (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/professional-portal)

        Professional Portal
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            Completion and operation

            Find out about sustainable homes and structural warranties for new buildings. Also learn about the competent persons scheme and how to apply for retrospective approval.  


            Retrospective approval (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/applications/building-control-applications/building-control/how-to-get-approval/pre-site-approval/regularisation)

            Retrospective approval

            Building warranties (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/commercial-developments/building-warranties)

            Building warranties

            Competent persons scheme  (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/applications/building-control-applications/building-control/how-to-get-approval/where-to-get-approval/competent-person-self-certification-schemes)

            Competent persons scheme 

            Greener homes  (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/sustainability-and-planning)

            Greener homes 

                Legislation and guidance

                • Community Infrastructure Levy1
                • Approved documents2
                • Use classes order3
                • Permitted development4
                • Neighbourhood consultation scheme5
                1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/policy-and-legislation/CIL
                2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/applications/building-control-applications/building-control/approved-documents
                3. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/change-of-use
                4. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/responsibilities/planning-permission/permitted-development-rights
                5. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/neighbourhood-planning

                  Industry services

                  • News1
                  • Industry jobs2
                  • Project management3
                  • Information about LPAs4
                  1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/latest-planning-news
                  2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/jobs/industry-jobs
                  3. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/professional-portal/project-management-for-professionals
                  4. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/find-your-local-planning-authority


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                      The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2025 Planning Portal.

                      The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2025 Planning Portal.