Changes to permitted development rights for household extensions and various changes of use have come into effect on 30 May 2013 and in addition on 6 April 2014.  Below is a brief summary of the key changes together with links to application forms which can be used where information needs to be submitted to the council before development can commence.

The summaries are intended to give an overview of the amendments only and in all instances it is recommended that the notes are reviewed in full.  If there is any doubt regarding the information held in the notes then details of the relevant statutory instrument can be found here.

The council operates a pre-application service details of the service can be found here.

Residential Permitted Development

For a period of three years, between 30 May 2013 and 30 May 2016, householders will be able to build larger single-storey rear extensions under permitted development (subject to other requirements as set out in the Notes).  The size limits will double from up to four metres to up to eight metres for detached houses, and from up to three metres to up to six metres for all other houses. 

These new permitted development rights do not apply to properties on Article 1(5) land which includes Conservation Areas and the Wychavon District Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) as well as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). 

These new larger extensions (i.e. if they extend between four and eight metres, or between three and six metres) must go through the following process if they are to be considered under permitted development rights (an application for planning permission can still be made at any time).

Click here for Residential Permitted Development Notes

Click here for Residential Permitted Development Form

Conversion of Offices to Residential

For a period of three years, between 30 May 2013 and 30 May 2016, it will be permitted development to change the use of an office to a dwelling(s) (subject to other requirements as set out in the Notes).  Development is not permitted where:

• the building was not used for a use falling within Class B1(a) (offices) of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order immediately before 30 May 2013 or, if the building was not in use immediately before that date, when it was last in use;

• the use of the building falling within Class C3 (dwelling houses) of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order was begun after 30 May 2016;

• the site is or forms part of a safety hazard area;

• the site is or forms part of a military explosives storage area;

• the building is a listed building or a scheduled monument.
• Fee £172.00

Click here for Conversion of Offices to Residential Notes

Click here for Conversion of Offices to Residential Form

Change of use of Agricultural Buildings to Shops, Financial and Professional Services, Restaurants and Cafes, Business, Storage or Distribution, Hotels, or Assembly of Leisure

From 30 May 2013 it will be permitted development (subject to other requirements as set out in the Notes) to change the use of various agricultural buildings to the above flexible uses set out above.  Development is not permitted if:

a.    the building has not been solely in agricultural use:
        (i)    since 3 July 2012; or
        (ii)    buildings first brought into use after 3 July 2012, for ten years;

b.    the cumulative floor space of buildings which have changed use under Class M within an original agricultural unit exceeds 500 square metres;

d.    If more than 150sq metres (but less than 500 sq square metres) of building involved there is a requirement for prior approval as previously explained.

e.    the site is or forms part of a military explosives storage area;

f.    the site is or forms part of a safety hazard area;

g.    the building is a listed building or a scheduled monument.

Fee £80.00 (this fee comes into force from 01/10/13)


Click here for Change of use of Agricultural Buildings to Shops, Financial and Professional Services, Restaurants and Cafes, Business, Storage or Distribution, Hotels, or Assembly of Leisure Notes

Click here for Change of use of Agricultural Buildings to Shops, Financial and Professional Services, Restaurants and Cafes, Business, Storage or Distribution, Hotels, or Assembly of Leisure Form

Flexible Uses

From 30 May 2013 it will be permitted development to temporarily change the use for up to two years of the following various uses:

FROM:    Classes A1 (shops), A2 (financial and professional services), A3 (restaurants and cafes), A4 (drinking establishments, Class A5 (hot food takeaways), B1 (business), D1 (non-residential institutions) and D2 (assembly and leisure)

TO:        Class A1 (shops), Class A2 (financial and professional services), Class A3 (restaurants and cafes) or Class B1 (business)

Development will be permitted (subject to other requirements as set out in the Notes) as set out above provided that:

a.    the change of use relates to no more than 150 square metres of floor space in the building;

b.    the site has at no time in the past relied upon the temporary use permitted under Class D;

c.    the site is not and does not form part of a military explosives storage area;

d.    the site is not and does not form part of a safety hazard area;

e.    the building is not a listed building or a scheduled monument.

f.     Fee £80.00 (this fee comes into force from 01/10/13)

Prior to undertaking the change of use the developer is to notify the council on the date that new use will begin, and what that use will be.  If this does not occur the change of use will not be lawful.  It is not possible to retrospectively do this and a full application for planning permission will be necessary.

Click here for Flexible Uses Notes

Click here for Flexible Uses Form

Changes of Use of Buildings and Land to State Funded Schools

From 30 May 2013 it will be permitted development (subject to other requirements as set out in the Notes) to change the use of various buildings to a state funded school as described below:

FROM:    A use falling within Classes B1 (Business), C1 (Hotels), C2 (Residential Institutions), C2A (Secure Residential Institutions) or D2 (Assembly and Leisure)

TO:        Use as a State-Funded School

Development will not be permitted if:

a.    the site is or forms part of a military explosives storage area;

b.    the site is or forms part of a safety hazard area;

c.    the building is a listed building or a scheduled monument.

Prior to undertaking the change of use the developer shall apply to the local planning authority for a determination as to whether the prior approval of the authority will be required as to:

a.    transport and highways impacts of the development;

b.    contamination risks on the site;

c.    noise impacts of the development; and

If this does not occur the change of use will not be lawful.  It is not possible to retrospectively do this and a full application for planning permission will be necessary.

d.    Fee £80.00 (this fee comes into force from 01/10/13)


Click here for Change of Use of Buildings and Land to State Funded Schools Notes

Click here for Change of Use of Buildings and Land to State Funded Schools Form

Historic Parks and Gardens has been established as a designation since 1983, nationally listed by Historic England through the government and locally registered by Local Planning Authorities. The sites included cover anything from planned open spaces, such as town squares, to gardens and grounds.

Wychavon has 8 nationally registered parks and gardens:

• Hanbury Hall
• Hartlebury Castle
• Overbury Court
• Pirton Park
• Rous Lench Court
• Croome Court
• Spetchley Park
• Westwood Park

There are also 80 locally registered parks and gardens.

A register has been compiled of the nationally registered sites by Historic England which can be searched. Search the register

Locally registered gardens can be received on request from the Heritage Team at the Council via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The team do get consulted on applications which have the potential to impact upon this designated asset. We have prepared a supplementary planning document on the subject for further guidance

Read historic parks and gardens supplementary planning document

For further information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Useful links:

• View Gardens Trust website
• Historic England Registered Parks and Gardens webpage

Conservation areas are a heritage designation under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to manage the special historic or architectural character of a place. Wychavon has 64 conservation areas; to check if you are in a conservation area, please visit My Local Area website.

The Council have a programme of reviewing the conservation areas, this entails the creation or renewal of appraisals, the continued relevancy of existing boundaries and the requirement for additional controls.

Appraisals are a means of:

• Identifying and re-assessing the special qualities of the conservation area
• Ensuring the effectiveness of the boundaries and assess whether they should be altered
• Engaging and consulting with the local community and businesses during the process
• Preparing a strategy for its future management

Wychavon District Council has Article 4(2) Directions within conservation areas. These directions remove specific permitted development rights which restrict works that could harm the character of a conservation area by requiring the submission of a planning application.

The location of each Conservation Area within Wychavon, is available here: Conservation Areas