Winter support
Colchester Borough Council is providing support for residents, businesses and communities throughout winter.
Colchester Borough Council is providing support for residents, businesses and communities throughout winter.
You don't need planning permission. Or maybe you do. But there are other factors to consider before starting your building project.
We don't hold land ownership records but you can check the Government's database.
Covenants for your property should be listed in your house deeds.
You will need to seek independent legal advice if you have any queries.
A "Listed Building" is a building, object or structure that is declared to be of national importance in terms of architectural or historic interest.
Read more on the Planning Portal
Check if your property is a Listed Building
You will need to apply for Listed Building Consent (LBC) for any work (inside or outside) that would affect its special character and/or appearance.
If you are carrying out repairs on a "like for like" basis, then this is not required.
It is a criminal offence to carry out works without consent.
If you are unsure if you need LBC for your building project.
Submit a Certificate of Lawfulness
If you know you need LBC, but would like specific advice.
If you know you need LBC, but don't want specific advice.
A "Conservation Area" is an area of environmental or historical importance which is protected by law.
Some types of work that don't require permission outside a conservation area might need permission inside of it.
Read more on the Planning Portal
Check if your property is in a Conservation Area
If you are unsure if you need permission for your building project.
Submit a Certificate of Lawfulness
If you know you need permission, but would like specific advice.
If you know you need permission, but don't want specific advice.
Flood zones are divided into areas based on the probability of that area flooding.
They are categorised by the Environment Agency.
Check if your property is in a Flood Zone
You will need to get professional advice from an archaeological contractor who will undertake the investigation and prepare a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI).
We provide a brief for the archaeological investigation but we do not undertake archaeological investigations.
The Colchester Historic Environment Record (HER) is the database of all known archaeological sites and historic buildings in the Borough. It is used to identify and assess sites at risk of damage by new development.
Read more about Archaeological Advice
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are a type of drainage designed to control surface water runoff in a more sustainable way other than by the use of pipes and tanks.
A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) was designed to protect specific trees or a particular area from damage and destruction.
If your tree is protected, a copy of the order will be with the deeds of your property.
You need our consent to carry out works to a tree if it's protected.
Read more about Tree Preservation Orders
It is illegal to obstruct a public right of way (PRoW).
You can apply to temporarily or permanently alter a PRoW, or even remove a PRoW, but you not allowed to block or interfere with a route.
Read more on the Essex Highways site
Properties on land which is known to be contaminated, potentially contaminated, or where the proposed end use is vulnerable (sensitive) need to be listed in the planning application.
Read more in our Environmental section
We recognise that building projects will often create noise and we don't want to put unreasonable restrictions on applications.
At the same time, we need to identify and protect areas of tranquillity which have remained undisturbed by noise.
Therefore, we may decide to put conditions into an application. For example, restriction of hours for operation or restriction for hours for machinery.
You should also ensure that there is no adverse impact caused by odour or artificial light.
Read more in our Environmental section
If you want to change an existing address or create an address for a new property, you will need to apply to us.
Read more about Street Naming and Numbering
A Local Land Charge is a restriction or prohibition on land which is then binding on successive owners of that land.
Read more in our Local Land Charge section
A "party wall" is when some or all of your property is connected to the boundary of land belonging to two (or more) different owners.
You must let the different owners know if you are about to start a building project.
Owners can agree or disagree with what you propose.
Read more on the Planning Portal
Our map will tell you about Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas, Tree Preservation Orders, Controls over Alterations (Article 4) and Restrictions on Development.
If you are unsure if you need planning permission or you want to check if your building project would be a permitted development.
Submit a Certificate of Lawfulness
If you know you need planning permission, but would like specific advice.
If you know you need planning permission, but don't want specific advice.
If you want to apply for Building Control approval.