There are two types of Certificate of Lawfulness:

For an existing use or development (Section 191). This is commonly used to demonstrate that a use or development has been in existence for a certain length of time and therefore becomes lawful by default. For applications relating to residential matters this is generally 4 years, or 10 years for commercial/agricultural applications.

For a proposed use or development (Section 192). This is very useful to ensure that a proposed residential extension falls under permitted development (PD) rights (as set out under the General Permitted Development Order).

We can assist you in preparing the certificate of lawfulness application. It is important that such applications are precise and detailed, and we generally provide a planning law commentary to run alongside evidence you provide.