Established Use and Lawful Development

Clear advice when planning status isn’t straightforward.

Established use and lawful development can be a highly specialised area of planning, particularly where work has already been carried out, a change of use has taken place or planning conditions may not have been met.


We’ll help you understand your position, advise on any permitted development rights that may apply and work with the local planning authority to find the most appropriate way forward.


Lawful development made clearer


A Certificate of Lawful Existing Use or Development can provide formal confirmation that an existing use or development is lawful and may continue without enforcement action.


This can be relevant where:

  • building work was carried out some time ago
  • a change of use has already taken place
  • a development or use has existed without complying with a planning condition
  • you need certainty over the lawful use of a property or site


These applications require a careful and well-evidenced approach, as getting them wrong can make an already difficult situation more complicated.

How Prism can help

We have extensive experience securing Certificates of Lawful Existing Use or Development for both residential and commercial projects.


We’ll manage the process on your behalf, advise on the evidence required and liaise with the local planning authority throughout.

Our experience working with planning authorities also means we can help anticipate how they may respond to unauthorised development and advise on the most appropriate next steps.

Finding the right way forward

Depending on your circumstances, we can help with:


Established Use
Confirming whether an existing use may be considered lawful.


Lawful Development Certificates
Preparing and managing applications for existing or proposed development or use.


Permitted Development Rights
Advising on whether permitted development rights apply to your plans.


Unauthorised Development
Helping you understand your position and the options available where development has already taken place.