Lawful Development Certificates (LDCs)

For a formal decision on whether a development is lawful you will need a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC).

You can apply for an LDC online through the Planning Portal or download the relevant forms.

Why do I need this?

Applying for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is a formal process through which we will consider your development in detail and decide whether your proposal is lawful. This may come in useful when selling your property in the future.

 There are two types of certificates:

• Proposed LDC: this will confirm whether or not your proposed work requires planning permission; OR 
• Existing LDC: this will confirm whether planning permission was needed for work which has already taken place.

If development has already taken place you can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate where:

• you have built a structure or building or materially changed the use of a building into a dwelling that is four or more years old and was substantially completed before 25 April 2024
• you have built a structure or building or materially changed the use of a building into a dwelling that is ten or more years old and was substantially completed on or after 25 April 2024
• you have undertaken a change of use of land or buildings within the last 10 or more years

If development is proposed to be undertaken, you can also apply for a Lawful Development Certificate where:

• you wish to undertake development, or a material change of use to land or buildings for which you believe falls within the permitted development limits.

In either instance you will have to provide sufficient proof of this.

Guidance notes on Lawful Development Certificates

Current LDC fees