The construction of new buildings nearly always needs planning permission. Major alterations to existing buildings will also need permission. Since the rules are complicated, please contact us to see if your proposal requires permission.
If you find you do need planning permission we would encourage you to talk to us first before submitting your application. For this we offer an appointment system through the Council's main reception (contact details are at the bottom of the page). More pre-application advice.
Note that extra restrictions apply to listed buildings and some buildings in conservation areas. You may also require Building Regulations Approval, which must be applied for separately.
Do I need planning permission for starting a business from my home?
You don't necessarily need planning permission to work from home. You may need planning permission if you answer yes to any of these questions:
- Is more than one room in your house being used for business purposes?
- Will your business result in a marked rise in traffic or people calling?
- Will there be anyone employed working at your home who does not normally live there?
- Will your business disturb your neighbours at unreasonable hours or create other forms of nuisance such as noise or smells?
Planning permission is unlikely to be needed if the householder is working alone in a study or spare room and there are no deliveries.
If you are thinking of running a business from home, please contact us for advice. (Contact details are at the bottom of the page). If you are a council tenant, please also read Running a Business From Your Council Home
Supplementary Planning Guidance
- Summary: This document give supplementary guidance and policies relevant to business developments.
- File Format:
Adobe PDF (help and accessibility)
- File Size:150 kb
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- Page Count: 6
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- Summary: Supplementary planning guidance on display of advertisements.
- File Format: Adobe PDF (help and accessibility)
- File Size:158 kb
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South Derbyshire District Council is signed up to the 
East Midlands Planning Charter for businesses. This is a voluntary agreement in which participating authorities aim to promote the economic development of the area by providing a quick and efficient planning service for businesses in the East Midlands.
Furthur detailed information is available in this government produced booklet (including advice about changing the use of land and premises):
Planning Permission - a guide for business
Designing Out Crime
For crime prevention advice you can contact the Derbyshire Police Crime Prevention Design Adviser (contact details in the document below). We have signed up to the Derbyshire 'Designing out crime' Protocol:
- Summary: This document sets out the protocol for liaison between local planning authorities
and The Derbyshire Constabulary. Contains contact details for the Crime Prevention Design Adviser.
- File Format: Adobe PDF (help and accessibility)
- File Size:220 kb
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See also Planning Policy - Crime Prevention
Contacting us for advice
- Summary: Use this form if you would like to contact us for advice. Provided in Word format for you to complete on-screen and send by email to planning@south-derbys.gov.uk
To send the completed form, save to your computer and attach to an email, along with a scan of your diagram.
- File Format:
Microsoft Word (help and accessibility)
- File Size: 280 kb
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- Summary: Use this form if you would like to contact us for advice. Provided in pdf format for you to print, complete and return to us at the Civic Offices address below.
- File Format: Adobe PDF (help and accessibility)
- File Size:68 kb
- Estimated Download Time: 10s (56k dialup) / less than a second (broadband)
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Contact Details
South Derbyshire District Council
Planning Services
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 0AH
Tel: 01283 228706
Email: planning@south-derbys.gov.uk
page ref: LGSL 485, 487