Community led GBI toolkit
In this section
- Designing Community Spaces
- Planning Permission
- Resources and Support
- Summarised Checklist
Planning Permission
Once you have begun developing your designs and have an idea about the type of elements you might want to include, you will need to identify whether planning permission is required. Whether or not you will need planning permission is dependent upon the scale of the changes, the current use of the site, and where the project is located.
Please note the following section has been created to provide an overview of planning policy at the time of writing and is not exhaustive. This is subject to change and should be checked directly with your Local Planning Authority (LPA) or a planning professional.
Social Farms and Gardens have made resources on this topic:
Examples of possible planning considerations related to GBI assets follow:
Sheds and other structures such as compost toilets, polytunnels and greenhouses may be considered development which, in turn, could require planning permission. Speak directly with your LPA to identify whether the structure you would like to erect requires planning.
If you are looking to put in a driveway or parking on the site, you may need to obtain planning permission. This may depend on the proposed material, particularly as impermeable materials such as tarmac could impact the natural drainage of the site.
Certain developments are required to also submit a SuDS application. It can be submitted with a planning application or separately, although you cannot receive planning permission without prior approval from the appropriate Sustainable Drainage Approval Body. This requirement ensures that the development demonstrates compliance with the SuDS standards for design, construction, operation, and maintenance of surface water drainage systems.
For further information on SuDS application, please visit our SuDs webpage.
The Welsh Government guidance states that in most cases installing solar panels on non-domestic land is unlikely to require planning permission. However, there are some conditions which must be met, see link below for further information.
You will need to check the status of trees if you are considering pruning or felling t hem as they may be protected by tree preservation orders. Additionally, under the Hedgerows Regulations 1997, it is against the law to remove most countryside hedgerows (excluding those forming garden boundaries) without permission. You should follow the guidance below and please contact your LPA if you are unsure.
If you are submitting a planning application, you may also be required to provide environmental surveys and environmental impact statements. It is recommended that you consult with your local authority to discuss the requirements.
Whilst Planning Application Guidance is available online, it may be best to speak with a planning professional who can best advise you on whether you need to submit a planning application. If you are ever unsure, it is recommended that you make an enquiry to your LPA. This will give you a stronger understanding of the factors you need to consider, and may save time and money.
Within Carmarthenshire, you can submit planning enquiries to:
planning@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
planning.enquiries@beacons-npa.gov.uk if your site resides within the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
Dependent on your proposed development, LPAs also offer a Pre-Application Service which may help to make a quality application that is faster to process. It can provide an understanding of the questions that will be taken into consideration when determining an application.
You may be eligible for free planning guidance from Planning Aid Wales which offers support to the public and community groups. To determine if you are eligible, please visit their website which also has a number of useful resources for those seeking to obtain planning permission.
The Community Land Advisory Service Cymru is a Welsh Government Funded Programme which provides support and advice on a number of key areas, including qualified and experienced planning advice.
