Planning Advice Service

Not all development requires a planning application. In some cases, the Government grants planning permission for minor works and changes of use (known as permitted development). This can include small house extensions or alterations.

For a fee of £35 (inc. VAT) we can advise in writing whether your proposal is ‘permitted development’, or if an application is required.

For extensions, curtilage buildings and renewable energy please email the relevant enquiry form, for other proposals please send a detailed email outlining your proposal and giving the address of the property and, if possible, a location plan. Emails should be sent to planning@yorkshiredales.org.uk. We will aim to provide a written response within 14 days of receipt of the completed enquiry form or email and fee.

• Extensions enquiry form
• Curtilage buildings enquiry form
• Renewable energy enquiry form

General guidance on whether planning permission is required can be found on the Planning Portal website : https://www.planningportal.co.uk/

NB the onus is on the homeowner to satisfy themselves that the development they intend to undertake does not require planning permission.

Find out more about our planning advice surgeries which is for residents of the National Park

To book an appointment call:

• 01969 652349 (northern area – Richmondshire, Eden and the South Lakeland parishes of Garsdale, Dent and Sedbergh) or
• 01969 652350 (southern area – Craven, Lancaster and all the South Lakeland parishes except Garsdale, Dent and Sedbergh)
• Or email: planning@yorkshiredales.org.uk

For larger scale proposals (major development and intermediate scale development) we provide written pre-application planning advice.

Service A – is a desk-based assessment of the proposal.

Service B – a desk-based assessment of the proposal, plus a Planning Officer site visit and advice from relevant YDNPA experts such as archaeologists, ecologists and listed building advisers.

Find out more about our written pre-application advice service

Payments are acceptable via bank transfer or bacs, our details are given below, please can you use the site address as a reference; when you have made the payment please can you email planning@yorkshiredales.org.uk so we can ensure it has been received. Cheques are also acceptable made payable to Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, although this may delay the process:

A/c Name:     Yorkshire Dales NP 97

Sort Code:    20-61-53

Account:       80895814

If you would like confirmation of whether you meet our current local occupancy criteria please email planning@yorkshiredales.org.uk giving the address of the relevant property and details of your current situation.

The Yorkshire Dales Design Guide helps to explain what is considered ‘good design’ in the context of this National Park, and provides positive help to achieve it. It has sections on a range of development types, including housing, house extensions, commercial buildings, traditional building conversions, agricultural buildings, signage and advertisements.

The Yorkshire Dales has international recognition as an official Dark Sky Reserve. Dark skies are recognised as one of the National Park’s special qualities.

We have a range of advice for residents and developers on ‘good lighting’, that helps to protect our Dark Skies.  

Lighting Advice in the Yorkshire Dales is a simple guide to choosing lighting and we have a good lighting advice page on our website.

More detailed advice can be found in our Towards a Dark Sky Standard lighting guide.

Designing Rural Futures encourages architects, designers and development working on new housing projects to produce innovative and stimulating design in the National Park context. The document provides guidance on a variety of design issues and should be a key point of reference to shape applications for housing development within the National Park.

The Traditional Farm Buildings Toolkit provides guidance on assessing the significance of a traditional farm building, and developing design options based on an understanding of the individual building’s significance.