Planning permission in the 1700s (slightly off topic)

[another_richard]

Hello All.

I am trying to find out whether planning permission existed in any form around the 1700s.

I am particularly interested in the conversion of a house from domestic to a mixure of domestic and the inclusion of an anatomy school.

Anyone aware of any information t'would be very useful.

Thanks,

another_richard

 

[Penners]

See whether this helps: http://www.planninghelp.org.uk/planning-system/history-of-planning-system

 

[worms]

conversion of a house from domestic to a mixure of domestic and the inclusion of an anatomy school.

Applicant by name of Burke?

 

[Flyfisher]

or Hare?

 

[FamilyWiggs]

As I understand it Planning Permission did not really exist in a modern sense before 1949, although there were some relevant Acrs for I think 1910s or thereabouts. Really its emergence comes slight after the development of the "state" in a meaningful sense - by which I mean the desire/abilty to increasingly regulate ever more minute details of our lives/activities.

Before that it is more likely to have been individual contracts/conveyances/covenants that may have attached requirements to individual properties.

Sounds intriguing anyway - do tell us some more!

EDIT - had I read Penners interesting link, I'd have commented that any regulations in the 19th Century arose from public health reform Acts - but I thought we all knew that from our schoolboy history! Something about parliament passing some acts relating to water pollution after the "great stink*" caused them to move away from Westminster one summer because of the smell of the Thames.

This was nothing compared to the Great Stink Mrs FW kicks up each night at the slow rate of progress on our project...

 

[Penners]

had I read Penners interesting link

*Sigh*

Pearls before swine. :roll:

 

[chippy]

'planning permission has been around for a long time, there are acts of parliament from the 16 century restricting urban development in London and many more in the 17th century including the first 'Building Act'

 

[Stephen]

As others have said, there was no national system as such before the 20th century. However, there were many local byelaws, urban acts, public health acts,etc,etc.

To answer your question we need to know precisely where the building is located. Your first port of call would be your local history library to establish what specific acts and byelaws affected building in that district.

Stephen

 

[essexbearhunter]

As I understand it Planning Permission did not really exist in a modern sense before 1949, although there were some relevant Acts for I think 1910s or thereabouts.

We can go back a bit further than that. A "License to Crenellate" was supposed to be sort in feudal times before fortifying a property - effectively sanctioning a change of use.