North Ayrshire Council

To alter, extend, build or change the use of premises you may need to apply for planning permission. 

Advice and guidance

Planning Services can provide pre-application advice and guidance on development which needs approval from the Council, including:

• the development of business and commercial properties, or making alterations to existing premises
• the development of new housing
• change in the use of land or buildings
• outdoor advertisements
• buildings in conservation areas
• listed buildings
• trees covered by tree preservation orders or within conservation areas

Please send your request by email to our ePlanning Team. If possible, include a location plan and sufficient drawings, plans or other information to enable us to respond to you. There is no charge for this service.

Please note that any guidance or advice we provide prior to the submission of a planning application is informal and is not binding on any decision subsequently taken by the Council.

Planning applications are determined in accordance with Local Development Plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Permitted development Rights- Domestic

Not all alterations and extensions to domestic property need planning permission. Permitted Development Rights allow for a wide variety of extensions and alterations without the need to submit an application for planning permission.

These rights include alterations such as:

• single storey ground floor extensions
• front porches
• access ramps
• replacement windows
• low level timber decking
• driveways
• heat pumps
• CCTV cameras 

The Guidance on permitted development (PDF, 1.1mb) will help you work out whether you need planning permission. This guidance was updated on 1^st April 2021. If you have any questions please contact us.

Even if planning permission is not required, there are other permissions that may be required such as:

• Building Warrant
• Listed Building Consent
• Conservation Area Consent
• Advertisement Consent

Permitted Development Rights – non-domestic, agricultural, forestry and commercial developments

There are a wide variety of other Permitted Development Rights which are set out in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992 (as amended) (GPDO). For site specific advice, please email us.

Certificates Of Lawfulness

Apply for a 'Certificate of Lawfulness for a Proposed Use' as written confirmation your development is 'Permitted Development'. This is a legal document for which there is a fee.