Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Implementing Planning Permission in England and Wales: Time Limits, Commencement Notices, Pre-commencement Conditions, Keeping Permissions Alive and Multiple Consents (Pilkington; Hillside)

Published by a LexisNexis Planning expert

Practice notes

What are the statutory time limits for implementing planning permission?

Planning permissions are not indefinite. Sections 91 and 92 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA 1990) stipulate that each permission must carry a condition that limits the time for implementation. Local planning authorities (LPAs), using their discretion under TCPA 1990, ss 91 and 92, may set time periods they consider suitable.

The usual position is:

For a full planning permission, development must be started within three years in England, or five years in Wales, from the date of the permission, unless a condition specifies otherwise.
For an outline planning permission concerning land in England, any application for approval of a reserved matter must be submitted within three years from the date the outline permission is granted, and the development must be begun within two years of the final approval of the reserved matters (or, where approvals are given on different dates, the final approval of the last)...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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