Design and layout are two things about your shop front that are very important, because well-designed business premises will always give people a good impression, attract more business, and even benefit the local area, as well as traders.
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Planning permission for shop fronts – the basics
In most cases, full planning permission is required for any kind of shop front alternation which would, in essence, change its physical appearance. This includes replacement shop fronts, installation and/or replacement of entrance doors and windows, and any kind of alteration to improve security.
On the other hand, minor shop front alternations may not require planning permission, as long as those alterations do not materially change the outward or physical appearance of your business property. If your shop is either a listed building or part of a listed building, then you will need to get listed building consent for all kinds of internal and external alternations.
If you simply need to add or change an advertisement or sign to your shop front, then you might need to apply for advertisement consent.
A good way to determine whether you require planning permission to make alterations to your shop front is to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate – for either existing or proposed alternations. This is applicable only if the alternation is minor.
Why do shop front alterations require planning permission?
Any change to your shop front which significantly affects the look of the business will require planning permission – this is something that’s been set out by the UK government and doesn’t leave much room for debate! As with most physical alterations, even to your private property, some kind of local council intervention is required.
The government has assigned local councils to each district, town or county, all of which are required to safeguard the conservation area, ensuring that all new and replacement shop fronts are designed to contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the surrounding area.
Who should I approach for changing or altering my shop front?
To make any kind of changes or alterations to your shop front, you must approach your local council. For example, if your business is based in Camden, then you must visit the Camden.gov.uk website in order to apply for planning permission.
How does this vary for premises that are rented or owned?
If you own the shop front, then you must approach your local council directly to obtain planning permission. If you are running your business from a rented premises, then you must inform the shop front or building owner before carrying out alternations, who in turn, will approach the local council to obtain planning permission.
Do the same rules apply for planning permission throughout the UK?
No – planning permission application rules are different from area to area. Your local council is responsible for setting the respective rules, so contact your local council to understand what kind of planning permission is required.
What if I don’t get permission; can I re-apply?
The scale and nature of the alterations or additions to a shop front will determine whether approval must be sought from the council. This could be for planning permission; a listed building, conservation or advertising consent; or a licence from the Street Trading Team.
It is important to remember that an application for these approvals may not be successful in some cases. After all, applications do get rejected where the proposed alteration or addition contravenes policy, guidance or regulations; the council may refuse the application and the work to the shop front will not be allowed.
Where work to a shopfront is found to be in breach of, or without the required permissions and consents, enforcement action will be taken by the council when it is considered expedient.
As for whether you can apply again, yes, you certainly can, although it’s best to consult a solicitor who can ensure that you have the necessary paperwork ready and that you are complying with your local council’s requirements before attempting to push the application through.
Want to discuss your shop front alteration project with a design expert? From the initial consultation and survey, to the technical planning and design, and the manufacture and installation; everything we do is planned with precision and comes with reliable after-sales care. We can work with you to assure the best possible outcome.