or is the permission required by most property developers and private individuals in the United Kingdom in order to be allowed to build on, or change the use of, a plot of land or to redevelop an existing building.
The concept was introduced in the Town and Country Planning Act 1947 . The planning permission system is adminstered by the local authority, with provison to appeal to central government against refusal of permission.
Once planning consent is granted a buildings inspector checks the progress of the construction works against the plans. At completion a completion certificate is awarded provided that the finished structure conforms to the planning consent. It can be difficult to sell a property that does not have a completion certificate.
Main article: Town and Country Planning in the United Kingdom