United Kingdom · planning decision notices · reading only
Time limit conditions on planning permissions — reading the expiry line
Most UK planning permissions carry a time limit condition — typically three years to commence development, sometimes shorter for temporary permissions. Applicants who miss the printed deadline can lose the permission even if other conditions were discharged. This guide reads the sealed wording only. Not planning advice.
What a time limit condition usually says
Standard time limit wording on decision notices follows patterns such as:
- “The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.”
- “Development shall commence within 12 months of the date of this decision.” (shorter periods on temporary permissions)
- “The use hereby permitted shall cease on [date]” — end date for temporary consents.
Always quote the numbered condition on the sealed notice. Officer reports may paraphrase; the notice binds.
Commencement vs completion — do not mix them up
Time limit conditions usually test whether development has begun — not whether it is finished. “Commencement” has a technical meaning in planning law (often linked to a material operation on site). This guide does not advise what counts as commencement for your scheme — it flags that the expiry line is a separate gate from pre-commencement condition triggers.
- Time limit — permission expires if not begun by date X.
- Pre-commencement condition — something must be approved before works start.
- Pre-occupation condition — something must be done before the building is occupied.
Reading checklist on the sealed notice
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Find the time limit condition number — often condition 1 or 2 on full permissions.
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Note the decision date on the notice header — expiry is usually counted from this date unless the wording says otherwise.
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Check for extensions — only a formal extension of time granted by the LPA changes the printed deadline; do not assume officer email assurances replace the notice.
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Separate temporary vs permanent — temporary permissions may have both a commencement window and a “cease use by” date.
What DecisionBrief extracts
On a £79 order, DecisionBrief cites the time limit condition verbatim, records the decision date, calculates the printed expiry where the wording allows, and lists it alongside other numbered conditions. We do not advise whether to commence, apply for extension, or re-apply. See the York Hempland sample.
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Questions
How long do I have to start work under a UK planning permission?
Read the time limit condition on the sealed decision notice — commonly three years from the decision date for full permissions, but the printed wording controls. Shorter periods apply to many temporary permissions.
Is the time limit the same as a pre-commencement condition?
No. The time limit is when permission expires if development has not begun. A pre-commencement condition is something that must be approved before works start. Both can apply to the same permission.
Does DecisionBrief advise on extensions of time?
No. We read and cite the sealed notice. Extension applications and planning strategy need a consultant or solicitor.
Related guides
Informational only. Not planning advice. Last reviewed September 2026.