Planning Support for Businesses

West Oxfordshire District Council is committed to helping businesses navigate the planning process—whether you’re starting a new enterprise, relocating, or expanding. Our pre-application advice service offers clear, consistent guidance on the key principles and adopted policies your proposal must meet for a favourable recommendation. This advice will outline both opportunities and potential challenges, helping you make informed decisions.

This page provides an overview of when planning permission is required and how to apply. It is for guidance only and should not be regarded as a definitive interpretation of the law. If you are unsure, please contact the Planning Team for advice.

View our fees and charges for planning advice: Pre-Application And Other Non-Statutory Charges 2025 to 2026 

West Oxfordshire District Council provides free planning advice to qualifying small businesses. To be eligible, the business must currently receive Small Business Rate Relief. This benefit applies solely to the applicant and does not extend to any appointed agent. 

Within 20 working days of receiving all the relevant information, we aim to: 

• Provide a full written response 

• Arrange a meeting if necessary and agree a timescale for a full, written response 

Most new builds, extensions, and major alterations to business premises require planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. This also covers changes to the building's exterior or its intended use. 

Planning permission is generally not required for internal changes to a building or for small external additions such as telephone connections or alarm boxes. Certain minor works—such as erecting low-level walls and fences (up to one metre high when fronting a highway or footpath, and up to two metres high elsewhere)—are usually covered by permitted development rights, meaning a specific planning application is not required. 

If you're unsure, find out if you need planning permission or read our Step-By-Step Guide to Planning Permission For additional details, review the Special Considerations section on this page. 

If you're shifting premises between different use classes—for example, converting retail to a café—you may need planning permission. Some changes within the same class (e.g., Class E) might be allowed under permitted development rights. 

• Find out more about possible changes of use (Planning Portal website)
   
• If you need confirmation of the lawful use of the land or premises, you can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate (Planning Portal website).
   
• West Oxfordshire District Council has introduced an article 4 direction to stop changes from offices to residential without first applying for planning permission.  Please contact the planning team if you think this may apply to your site. 

Businesses intending to construct new premises must obtain planning permission. Applications are assessed against the Council’s Local Plan, and adopted Planning Polices. Key considerations typically include: 

• The suitability of the site and its intended use
• Design, scale, and appearance of the development 
• Impact on the surrounding environment and local character 
• Access, parking, and transport implications 
• Compliance with sustainability and climate objectives 

You may also need to consider wildlife and habitat protection - see our Wildlife and Biodiversity pages. 

Some minor extensions to existing premises, including additional buildings within the site, may not require a formal planning application because they are permitted under Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. For factories or warehouses, planning permission will be required if the extension: 

• Materially alters the external appearance of the building
• Is within five metres of the site boundary
• Reduces space available for parking or vehicle turning 

Important: Permitted development rights can be restricted by local conditions or Article 4 Directions. Before starting any work, always check with the Council’s Planning Team to confirm whether permission is needed. Step-By-Step Guide to Planning Permission 

Rules under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007 apply. You may need express consent for: 

• Signs over 0.3 m² or any illuminated sign. 
• Fascia signs, projecting signs, A‑boards, banners, and totem signs. 

For detailed guidance, please refer to the DCLG's Guide to Advertisements and Signs or visit the Planning Portal.  

Businesses are encouraged to incorporate renewable energy and sustainable practices into their developments where appropriate. Planning permission may be required for installations such as: 

• Solar panels on commercial buildings
• Wind turbines or other renewable energy structures
• Electric vehicle (EV) charging points
• Biomass or heat pump systems 

Applications will be assessed against policies in the Local Plan, including requirements for energy efficiency, biodiversity net gain, and climate resilience. 

Some eco-friendly features qualify as permitted development, and the legislation is evolving to become more permissive. Therefore, you should contact the Planning Team for guidance on whether a full application is required. 

Planning permission is not usually required if the property remains primarily a home. However, you should consider: 

• Will the business operate separately from the household?W
• Will there be regular visitors, deliveries, or staff?
• Will multiple business vehicles be parked at the property?
• Could noise or activity disturb neighbours?
• Will the character of the property change from domestic use?

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these, planning permission may be needed.

Adding a building in your garden for business purposes will almost always require permission. 

For information concerning agricultural developments, please consult the DCLG's Farmer's Guide to Planning.  

Even where proposals are potentially "permitted development", the following issues may mean that planning permission is required: 

• Located within conservation areas: There are 51 designated conservation areas across West Oxfordshire, each with its own clearly-mapped boundary and character appraisal. These typically cover historic town and village centres—such as Burford, Chipping Norton, Witney & Cogges, Woodstock, and many others. To find out more, go to our Interactive Map.
  
  
• Listed Buildings: There are over 3,000 listed buildings within the district. Carrying out unauthorised work on a listed building is a criminal offence and may result in prosecution. We strongly advise checking the building’s listed status before undertaking any alterations or repairs. More information here: Listed Buildings.
  
  
• Subject to other local planning conditions or Article 4 directions as listed on our website. 

If any of these apply, you are strongly advised to contact the planning team prior to exercising the "permitted development right" to help ensure that you do not inadvertently commit a criminal offence or contravene planning regulations. 

You may also need to address biodiversity and wildlife requirements as part of your application. Find out more on our Wildlife and Biodiversity pages. 

Remember, whether or not your building project requires planning permission, you will still need to comply with Building Regulations. You can find more information and advice on Building Regulations on our Building Regulations pages or the Planning Portal.

Our Economic Development team can help with funding, networking, and advice. Contact us at business@westoxon.gov.uk or visit the Business Support and Advice pages.