Planning permission isn't always needed to run a business from home.

You may need planning permission if your:

• home is no longer being mainly used as a private residence
• business results in a marked rise in traffic or people visiting your home
• business involves any activities that are unusual in a residential area
• business disturb your neighbours at unreasonable hours or create other forms of nuisance such as noise or smells

There are many types of business you can run from home including using part of it for 'bed and breakfast' accommodation, providing a childminding service, making or selling small goods, laundry services, catering, photography, chiropractic services, hairdressing or dog grooming. 

Whatever business you carry out from your home, the key test is: is it still mainly a home or has it become business premises that will impact on your neighbours and the overall use of the surrounding space or environment?

The only way to be certain about the position in your particular case is to apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness for the business use. We will consider the details of the case, such as numbers of visitors, size, type and location of the house and then confirm whether or not you need planning permission.