A shopkeeper is powerless to stop vandalism. A window is broken on a Tuesday, and a roller shutter is installed on the outside of the shop on the Wednesday. Come Friday, the shop is protected, but the shopkeeper receives a letter from the planning office a few months later. This scenario is more common than people realize. Usually the shop owner pays for the shutters before receiving planning permission.

The short answer:

Planning permission in the UK is required for roller shutters on shop fronts. Installation of these shutters can be permitted depending on the design and material of the shop front. Replacing roller shutters requires planning permission as well. Dudley Council has published information to the public stating that replacement of roller shutters require planning permission.

Planning permission for roller shutters installed behind glass is not required. Listed building consent may be required for interior works.

Why councils say no

A local planning authority (LPA) understands the need for security measures. However, a LPA is less likely to grant permission for security measures that obstruct and block the views of the façade, and therefore negatively impact the design of the built environment, since clear lines of sight and constant surveillance are important in urban design. As a result, LPA’s, where possible, encourage the use of perforated or latticed shutters and grilles, and those of an internal or rear-projection nature.

Solid security shutters are prohibited on shop fronts in most London boroughs and elsewhere in the UK. Similar restrictions are applied in conservation areas. Hiding the shutter mechanism behind the shop front is also a common requirement of town planning authorities.

What happens next?

Planning applications are made via the Planning Portal and are forwarded to the relevant LPA. There is a fee to submit a planning application. Typically, the LPA requests plans and elevations of the existing shop front, and proposed shop front with security shutter, as well as the material, color, and location of the shutter housing and guides. Some LPAs will require a Justification to explain the need for security shutters. Planning Officers will take into account the nature of crime in the area when assessing the justification for security measures, and the impact the security shutters will have on the character and appearance of the area.

Take a look at the applications that have made it through the planning process, and you’ll see that they are aligned with the council’s design guidance. These types of applications usually involve a recessed or screened perforated or lattice sign, sign, color, and/or sign box that is aligned with the design of the signage of the adjacent shop. Check out your local council’s design guidance and get a copy of it if you’re thinking of applying for signage. Call the planning department to see what they’ll accept. It’s a free call.

If a permanent sign (a.k.a. a shutter) is already constructed and/or in place, it means that the owner of the business likely didn’t get permission to construct or install the sign. In this situation, you should contact the planning department for the area in which the shutter is located. The planning department can issue an enforcement order to the business to remove or alter the sign. You can always apply for permission to install the sign; however, you’ll be doing it under less than ideal conditions (the sign will likely already be in place, and the planning department will probably have to get involved). Sometimes a shutter is only placed on a building by a business when a neighboring business or property owner complains to the planning department.

The internal solution

An internal shutter or grille may achieve the majority of your protection without the need for planning permission for shop front shutters. Keep in mind these do not protect the glass, so a complete separation from the merchandise still needs to be provided. An internal grille or lattice may provide this. Moreover, external grilles protect the display and are preferable from the perspective of the Council and store owners.

If an internal protection solution can not be implemented due to limitations of the glazing or ceiling, an external perforated shutter may be the best protection solution.

Prior to placing any orders, verify planning regulations and request an evaluation of shop front solutions to determine the shutter solution most appropriate to your area.