Planning permission is an often-overlooked aspect of event organisation. While many events can proceed without formal planning consent thanks to temporary use rights, understanding when permission is needed and how to navigate the planning system can save you from enforcement action, costly delays, and the cancellation of your event.
Disclaimer: Planning law is complex and highly dependent on local circumstances. This article covers the general position in England. Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have separate planning systems with different rules. Always consult your local planning authority and seek professional advice for your specific event.
When do you need planning permission for an event?
Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, planning permission is required for "development," which includes a material change in the use of land. Holding an event on land that is not normally used for events constitutes a change of use. However, temporary uses benefit from specific permitted development rights that can exempt you from needing formal planning consent.
The 28-day rule
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (GPDO), Schedule 2, Part 4, Class B, permits the temporary use of land for any purpose for up to 28 days in any calendar year without planning permission. This is subject to the following conditions:
- The land must not be a building or within the curtilage of a building.
- The use must not be for a market or car boot sale (which has a separate 14-day limit).
- On land used as a caravan site under a site licence, the 28-day allowance applies to the use by up to 5 caravans at any one time.
The 28-day allowance is cumulative across the calendar year, and it includes all temporary uses, not just your event. If the landowner has already used 20 days for other purposes, you only have 8 days remaining. Always check with the landowner and the local planning authority.
What counts as a "day"?
Each day (or part of a day) on which the temporary use takes place counts towards the 28-day total. This includes setup and breakdown days, not just the days the event is open to the public. If your event runs for two days but requires three days of setup and one day of breakdown, that is six days of temporary use.
Structures and the planning system
Temporary structures erected for an event (stages, marquees, fencing, temporary toilets) can also engage the planning system. Under the GPDO, temporary buildings and structures can be placed on land during the permitted 28-day temporary use period and must be removed when the use ceases. Structures that remain for longer may require planning permission.
If your event requires substantial temporary structures, discuss this with the local planning authority early. Some structures, particularly larger stages and grandstands, may also require Building Regulations approval for structural safety, separate from planning permission.
Green Belt and protected land
Events on Green Belt land, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), or other protected designations may face additional restrictions. The 28-day permitted development right still applies in most cases, but the local planning authority may have issued Article 4 Directions that remove permitted development rights for specific areas. Always check whether any such restrictions apply to your site.
Applying for planning permission
If your event exceeds the 28-day allowance, or if permitted development rights have been removed, you will need to apply for planning permission. The process involves:
- Submitting a planning application to the local planning authority, including site plans, a description of the proposed use, and supporting information about traffic, noise, and environmental impact.
- A statutory consultation period (usually 21 days) during which neighbours and other interested parties can comment.
- A decision by the planning authority, which may take 8 weeks for a straightforward application or longer for complex cases.
- Planning application fees (currently £462 for a change of use application in England, though fees are subject to change).
If your event is an annual occurrence, consider applying for a permanent or time-limited change of use that covers multiple years. This avoids the need to re-apply each year and provides certainty for your planning.
Prior notification and lawful development certificates
If you are relying on the 28-day permitted development right, you do not need to notify the local planning authority in advance. However, for larger events, it is advisable to inform them as a courtesy and to avoid misunderstandings. You can also apply for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) to confirm that your proposed use falls within permitted development. An LDC provides formal confirmation that no planning permission is required and can be useful evidence if neighbours or enforcement officers raise concerns.
Enforcement
If you hold an event without the necessary planning consent, the local planning authority can take enforcement action. This may include issuing an enforcement notice requiring the use to cease, a breach of condition notice if planning conditions have been breached, or in urgent cases, a stop notice or temporary stop notice that can halt the event immediately. Failing to comply with an enforcement notice is a criminal offence.
Planning and licensing: separate systems
Planning permission and licensing (under the Licensing Act 2003) are separate legal systems with separate requirements. Having planning permission does not mean you have a licence, and having a licence does not mean you have planning permission. You need to comply with both. The local planning authority and the licensing authority may be different departments within the same local council, but they operate independently.
When choosing your event venue, consider both planning and licensing implications at the same stage. A site that is ideal for your event in every other respect may be problematic if it lacks the necessary planning permissions or is in a protected area.
For outdoor events in particular, start the planning process early. If you need formal planning permission, the application timeline can add months to your preparation schedule. Factor this into your event launch plans and do not start selling tickets until you are confident that all permissions are in place.
