Installing roller shutters can make your shop premises more secure, but how do you know whether you’re allowed to install them? Do different types have different rules, and are the rules the same across the entire UK? We’ve got all the answers you’re looking for in this blog. So, let’s start with an easy one: do roller shutters need planning permission?
You only need planning permission to install commercial roller shutters (of any kind) if they are going on the exterior of the building. If this is the case, you should consider the following when putting together your application:
- aesthetic appeal of the shutters you select for your property,
- quality of the shutters,
- impact on the local environment and shopper attitudes.
Keep reading to learn how to work around the LPA guidelines and how to apply for planning permission for your roller shutters.
Jump to section:
- When Do Roller Shutters Need Planning Permission?
- Key Considerations by Authorities
- Benefits of Roller Shutters
- How to Apply for Planning Permission for Roller Shutters
- Roller Shutters From Sykes London
When Do Roller Shutters Need Planning Permission?
There are many different types of roller shutters available, and installation rules vary countrywide, but there are some general expectations for whether your roller shutters will need planning permission, which you should expect anywhere.
You will need planning permission to install roller shutters when they are on the exterior of a building. This is because roller shutters will impact the visual appeal and character of their surroundings, and subsequently the street or neighbourhood.
You do not need planning permission for roller shutters on the interior of a building, because they don’t impact the appearance of the shop from the outside.
Key Considerations by Authorities
Local authorities will consider factors within three general categories of factors when assessing your planning permission application for roller shutters, in line with general guidelines:
- Aesthetic appeal of proposed roller shutters
- Build quality of proposed roller shutters
- Impact on the local environment
Once you have roller shutters installed, you also need to be prepared for annual statutory inspections to ensure their safety and utility. Read our blog — Do Roller Shutter Doors Require A Statutory Inspection? — to learn more.
Aesthetic appeal
Councils and local authorities aim to keep high streets and commercial areas looking cohesive, attractive, and lively. Sometimes, roller shutters can harm the aesthetic appeal of an area, especially if your building is the only one with them.
Shutter Quality
Since security is the primary function of roller shutters, local councils take the construction quality of any proposed shutters into account. Low-quality shutters will provide none of the benefits desired, and may actually encourage opportunistic break-ins if they look particularly vulnerable.
Can’t tell if your roller shutters will do the job? Read our blog to learn more: Are Roller Shutters Secure?
Get high-quality roller shutters with Sykes London; we have a full range of shutter doors, from rolling grilles to commercial doors. Browse online today.
Local Environment
Local authorities also consider the impact of roller shutters on the local environment, assessing whether shoppers might be deterred from shopping and whether crime — or antisocial behaviour generally — might be promoted.
In one case of roller shutter rejection in Hertford, the council stated the following as their reason:
“Solid roller shutters can have an adverse environmental effect, giving an area a dead appearance and contributing towards the creation of a hostile atmosphere. They are also vulnerable to graffiti. This not only gives out signals about an area’s vulnerability to crime, but can also deter the public from using such locations, thus losing the benefit of passive surveillance.”
Benefits of Roller Shutters
Roller shutters are typically used to increase the security of a building or shop, though you might be surprised to learn that they can provide other benefits, too, such as:
- Insulation
- Protection From The Elements
- Branding Opportunities
- Cleaner Windows
- Security
Learn more about how roller shutters work and how they can benefit you in our blog: How Do Roller Shutters Work?
How to Apply for Planning Permission for Roller Shutters
If your planned roller shutters do need planning permission, there are a few things you need to do to get there.
Research & Review Stage
- Research which local planning authority (LPA) is responsible for granting planning permissions where you are via the Government’s local council search tool.
- Review local policies regarding the installation of roller shutters
- Contact your LPA with specific questions if you are unsure
- Consult with your roller shutter supplier to get a better understanding of how the shutters will fit, the technical specification, and industry standards.
- Your supplier can also help you understand whether you’ll need planning permission. Sykes London is always available to help out with your roller shutter queries, so get in touch!
Documentation & Submission Stage
- Create detailed plans, drawings, and specifications (dimensions, materials, colour, design) of the roller shutters and how you plan to install them.
- Include a written justification for why you need roller shutters and how they appeal to the local aesthetics and environment, and whether they are of a high enough quality.
- Complete the relevant planning application forms provided by your LPA, and submit them alongside any fees.
Roller Shutters From Sykes London
At Sykes, we offer bespoke shop front and roller shutter design and fitting services, perfectly suited to your business’s needs. We have over 35 years in the industry, and can help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Want to find out more about our roller shutter services? Fill in our online form for free quotes or visit our website to find out more about our products and packages.
