If you’re simply having a staircase renovation, then you won’t need any planning permission from your local authority, and you won’t even need to submit a building regulations application.
If you are installing an entirely new staircase that is exactly the same as your previous one, this is considered a staircase repair. In this case, you still won’t need planning permission or building regulations approval.
However, if you are installing a new staircase that is not the same as your previous one, or you are relocating your staircase, you will need building regulations approval.
You can do this by applying directly to your local council, or through a private approved inspector, who will tell your local authority about the work. This is known as an ‘initial notice’. A site inspection of the staircase will be performed once work is complete, and a completion certificate will be issued once the staircase is deemed to comply with building regulations.
There are very few instances where you will need planning permission from your local authority to relocate your stairs. A staircase renovation, replacement or relocation does not need planning permission unless the new design impacts the external appearance of your property in any way.
If the staircase does affect the external appearance of your property, then you will also need to apply for planning permission from your local council.