Planning permission sets a clear deadline for starting and completing your build. In the UK, many homeowners ask, “How long does a planning permit last?” Across councils, be it the Croydon Planning Department or smaller local authorities, standard validity periods help manage extensions and lapses. Typical consent lasts three years for full and household applications. Outline permission also runs for three years to submit reserved matters, then two more to start work. While you wonder how long to get planning permission, remember that the decision timeframe is different from the consent duration. If you sit on approval and do not start work, your permission may expire before you break ground. Conversely, does planning permission expire once work has started? Generally not, so long as you make a substantive start. You also need to watch out for extensions built without planning permission 20 years ago or older cases that may qualify as extant planning consent under the ten-year rule. Read on to learn the exact limits, compare types, and plan your project timeline confidently.
In the UK, validity depends on application type. Below is a table summarising each:
These timeframes answer how long is planning permission valid UK and how long does planning application lasts. They also apply under different councils, from the Croydon Planning Department to national authorities. If you miss a deadline, your permission lapses, and you must reapply. Extensions are rare, so avoid delays in ordering materials or arranging contractors. Always check your decision notice for exact dates. Understanding validity keeps your project on track and helps you avoid costly reapplications.
Full planning permission grants comprehensive approval for a detailed proposal. In England and Wales, it normally lasts three years from the date of the decision notice. During this period, you must make a “material start,” such as laying foundations or erecting walls. After you commence work, your permission remains in force, even if the project halts, so long as activity continues in spirit. This answers “Does planning permission expire once work has started?” If you do not start within three years, the consent lapses. At that point, you lose your fallback in cases like a previously extended building without planning permission 20 years ago, and you may risk enforcement action. Always note the start date clock begins from the day you receive consent. If you need proof of your start, keep photographs, invoices, and site records. This helps secure your existing planning consent if questions arise later.
Householder permission covers smaller projects for a single dwelling. These include loft conversions, garden rooms, and rear extensions. The validity runs for three years from the decision date, matching full permission. Councils such as the Croydon Planning Department set the same limit. You ask “how long does a planning permit last?” The clear answer: three years to begin. If you start work within that window, your permission stays valid until your build completes. However, householder projects sometimes stall due to budget or contractor delays. Avoid missing the deadline by planning your programme and ordering materials early. Keep in mind that paused work still counts as started. For example, a foundation trench dug in year three qualifies as commencement. Always document your start with dated site photos and building control records to defend against enforcement.
Outline permission identifies whether a site is suitable in principle. You then submit “reserved matters” (design, scale, landscaping) later. The strict timeline is:
This two-step validity addresses “how long does planning permission last in the UK” for outline consents. If you miss either deadline, your outline permission lapses, and you need a fresh application. That can extend planning costs and add uncertainty about local policy changes. Rare “extant planning consent” claims arise if you can prove work began before expiry, but legal battles often follow. Always track your deadlines. Many applicants ask, “How long does planning permission last?” when they hold outline consent. The simple rule: three years to finalise details, then two to commence building. Stay organised to avoid repeating the process.
If you do not start work before the deadline, your planning permission lapses. You then lose the right to build under that consent. Common signs you may be at risk include:
Failing to act can force you to reapply, doubling fees and adding months to your schedule. Councils such as the Croydon Planning Department will treat any fresh submission as a new case. That means updated local plans and policies may apply, possibly requiring design changes.
To avoid lapse:
Understanding “how long does a planning application last” helps you spot looming deadlines. If you cannot start on time, consider submitting a fresh application early to secure continuity.
Councils like Croydon treat Section 73 as a fresh case. They check if changes are minor. Major design tweaks may trigger a full reapplication. Always consult a professional to gauge the chance of approval.
If your permission has lapsed, a full reapplication is often the safest route. Follow these steps:
Reapplication timelines depend on council workload and complexity. Many clients ask “how long to get planning permission?” and receive decisions within the statutory period. If local objections arise, expect delays.
A reapplication avoids the uncertainty of proving “extant planning consent.” It also ensures you comply with any policy changes since your original grant.
Several pitfalls can cause you to lose valid consent:
Avoid these errors by planning carefully, checking with your local planning department, and maintaining detailed site logs.
Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, certain unauthorised works become lawful after ten years. Key points:
Evidence requirement You need proof: plans, photos, sworn statements, or council logs.
This rule can rescue an extension built without planning permission 20 years ago. If you can show ten years of uninterrupted use or works, you may claim extant planning consent. However, councils scrutinise such claims heavily. Always seek legal or planning advice before relying on the ten-year rule.
At Draw Architecture, we guide clients through every planning stage. Our services include:
With offices from London to Cheshire, our team has secured approvals for over 200 projects. We liaise directly with the Croydon Planning Department and other local authorities to fast-track decisions. Contact us to safeguard your planning consent and start building on schedule.
Yes. Valid permission transfers with the land. The expiry date remains unchanged.
Statutory targets are eight weeks for householders and 13 weeks for full applications. You can appeal a non-determination after waiting double the time.
No. Once you make a material start, your permission stays valid even if work pauses.
Look at the decision notice. It states the “time limit for commencement.”
Fees mirror the original application type.
