All construction projects feature many complex and interwoven decision points; one of the most stressful can be whether to secure planning permission, the bureaucracy of which can add delays to an already complicated project.
Sometimes, though, you don’t need to seek planning permission, either because the site is already exempt or because your specific project doesn’t need it. So, do you need planning permission for construction projects featuring steel beams?
| The requirement of planning permission is not determined by whether steel beams are used; rather, the scale and nature of a project determine whether planning permission is required (with some exceptions, such as permitted development rights).
Planning permission may not be required for smaller projects, such as internal wall replacements. |
Keep reading to learn more about when planning permission is required and how planning permission differs from building regulations.
When Do You Need Planning Permission?
Unless you have permitted development rights, you typically must obtain planning permission from your local planning authority (LPA) for construction projects involving:
- Building something new
- Making a major change to your building, such as an extension
- Changing the use of your building
To apply for planning permission for construction projects, you need to contact your LPA via your local council.
What are Permitted Development Rights, and Do Those Projects Require Planning Permission?
‘Permitted development rights’ are a method of identifying specific projects that do not need to get planning permission before initiating development. Typical projects that have permitted development rights include:
- Extensions
- Loft conversions
- Internal alterations
- Some projects that will have no impact on neighbours or the environment (you must still check with your LPA first)
- Some outdoor signs and adverts
- Industrial premises and warehouses
When Do You Need Planning Permission for Projects with Steel Beams?
The use of a steel beam itself does not determine whether planning permission is required. Instead, this depends on the nature and scale of the works being carried out.
If you are working on a large-scale project involving steel beams, you generally will need to get planning permission, but smaller projects using steel beams—such as sheds and extensions—may not require planning permission.
Exceptions to Steel Beam Planning Permission RequirementsThere are some scenarios where you don’t need to get planning permission for your project. Often, this is because the project involves making minor changes to a building and not making something new. For example, internal structural alterations, such as removing a wall and installing a steel beam, typically do not require planning permission, but will require Building Regulations approval. You also will not need planning permission if your project has permitted development rights. |
While planning permission may not always be required, steel beam installations must be correctly specified and installed in accordance with Building Regulations. Working with an experienced fabricator helps ensure compliance and avoid delays on-site.
STEELO can expedite your project’s completion by providing professional support with drawings, calculations, and steel beam installation. Get in touch with our team to discuss your project needs.
Planning Permission vs Building Regulations
It can be easy to see the terms ‘planning permission’ and ‘building regulations’ and think that they are the same thing, but they do, in fact, refer to different requirements and regimes:
- Planning permission is for local authorities to guide the development, appearance, and accessibility of the local community, landscape, and environment
- Building regulations enforce the standards for building design and construction, ensuring maximum safety to a building’s occupants, neighbours, and constructors
For most construction projects, individual permissions from both regimes will be required.
Support with Steel Beam Construction Projects at STEELO
STEELO can support you through the design, manufacture, and installation stages of a construction project to ensure that you get the correct planning permission. Our expert team can guide you through all the intricacies of using steel in your project, helping you to make the best decisions about sizes before ordering.
Drop an email or give us a call to discuss your options for steel fabrication and delivery today, or browse our full range of beams, structures, and finishes online.
Steel Beam Planning Permission FAQs
Do I Need Building Control for a Steel Beam?
Yes, you will almost always need Building Control approval for a steel beam installation because it involves structural alterations to load-bearing elements.
Building Control demonstrates whether your project is compliant with Building Regulations. It is not the same as planning permission because not all projects require planning permission, whereas all projects must adhere to Building Regulations.
Do I Need a Structural Engineer for a Steel Beam?
Yes, you will need a structural engineer if steel beams feature in your construction project. A structural engineer will be essential for calculating the correct beam sizes, load-bearing specifications, and safety requirements, ensuring full compliance with Building Regulations.
Can I Remove a Load-Bearing Wall Without Permission?
You can most likely remove a load-bearing wall without first obtaining planning permission, though it can depend on the scope of your project.
To understand the permission requirements of your project, talk to an experienced steel fabricator or structural engineer, such as those at STEELO. Our team are on-hand to help assess the needs of your project; get in contact today.
What is Planning Permission?
Planning permission is the way in which your Local Planning Authority (often seated in your local council) controls what building works take place in the region. Planning permission is granted or refused at the discretion of your LPA, following Parliamentary guidance.
Local authorities use this high-level planning to guide how towns, cities, and the countryside develop. The main domains of planning permission include:
- Use of land and buildings
- Appearance of buildings
- Landscaping considerations
- Highway and road access
- Environmental and ecological impact
| It is always your responsibility to seek, or not seek, planning permission; if planning permission is required, it must be granted by your LPA before work begins. |
What are Building Regulations?
Building regulations are the rules and standards that determine how buildings are constructed. Building regulations in the UK are frequently updated to include modern sustainability and safety practices as a baseline for future developments.
The main purpose of building regulations is to provide health and safety for on-site construction workers, future building occupants, and anyone near or interacting with the building.
The secondary purpose of building regulations is to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and modernisation of buildings across the country as developmental innovations arise. This could look like:
- Providing better options for reducing fuel and energy consumption
- Requiring developments to include more parking spaces for residents
- Changing which materials can be used in construction to improve occupant quality-of-life and safety
- Making accessibility options a requirement for specific types of projects
Does Fitting a Steel Beam Come Under Building Regulations?
There are almost always specific building regulations that must be followed for installing a steel beam in the UK. This is because steel beam installation and removal can alter the stability of a building, affecting the safety of occupants and neighbours.
How Do I Apply For Planning Permission?
To apply for planning permission in the UK, you need to contact your Local Planning Authority (LPA) via your local authority or council.
What Happens If I Don’t Get Planning Permission?
You must obtain planning permission before starting any work if your project requires it; if you don’t get planning permission and start work anyway, you can be served an ‘enforcement notice’ that orders you to undo any changes made. Ignoring an enforcement notice is illegal, but you may appeal against it.
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