Planning Permission

For commercial installations, such as canopies in schools, retail spaces, or office buildings, planning permission requirements often depend on the scope and nature of the project. Many commercial projects fall under Permitted Development Rights (PDR), which exempt them from needing formal permission. However, specific conditions must be met:

1. Size Restrictions: The cumulative gross floor space of any new buildings or extensions should not exceed 25% of the original building’s floor space or 100 square meters, whichever is smaller.
2. Proximity to Boundaries: No part of the development should be within 5 meters of the property's boundary.
3. Preservation of Playing Fields: Land used as a playing field within the last 5 years must remain available for use.
4. Height Limitations: Any new building’s height should not exceed 5 meters. Extensions must not exceed 5 meters if they are within 10 meters of the boundary or the height of the existing building if farther away.
5. Listed Buildings: Developments within the curtilage of a listed building require special consideration and may not qualify for PDR.

Always ensure your commercial property has not exhausted its PDR allowances with previous developments.