Prior Approval Required? What Happens Next for Your Farm Building

Not a refusal. A closer look.

You sent the council a 28 day prior notification for a new farm building, track or works. The council has replied within 28 days to say prior approval is required. That is not a refusal. It means the council wants to approve some details before you start.

What the council can assess

Under Part 6 of the General Permitted Development Order, prior approval is limited. For a new building, the council looks at its siting, design and external appearance. For a private way, it looks at siting and means of construction. It should not reopen whether you need the building at all, as long as the development falls within permitted development.

What you must do now

• Put up a site notice. It must be displayed for at least 21 days within a 28 day period.
• Do not start work. You must wait for written approval. The 28 day rule that lets you start when the council stays silent no longer applies once it has asked for prior approval.
• Answer the officer's concerns. Small changes to colour, materials, landscaping or position can often secure approval.

If prior approval is refused

You can change the details and apply again, or appeal. If the building does not qualify as permitted development, you may need full planning permission instead. See planning application refused? What to do next and our farm planning appeals page.

Our farm planning consultants in Lincolnshire and our wider team across the UK handle prior approvals for farm buildings of every size.

How Foxes Rural can help

We prepare the details the council needs, answer the officer's concerns and manage the approval until you have the go ahead to build.