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LAWFUL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES

Lawful Development Certificates replace the original procedure known as 'Established Use Certificates' which have been in existence since the 1960's.

Originally, the issuing of an Established Use Certificate provided the land with protection against subsequent enforcement action against the use that had been confirmed as established. However, there were circumstances that even though a certificate had been issued, it was not possible to treat it as a planning permission.

The new procedure, introduced in 1992, now provides a form of Certificate that rationalises the original system and provides greater certainty over the planning status of the lawful use of land and buildings approved.

The new system provides the possibility of obtaining a statutory document confirming that the use, operation or activity named in the document is 'lawful' for planning control purposes.

It does not overcome the need to obtain and comply with other legal requirements, such as Building Regulations.

TYPES OF CERTIFICATE

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