The short answer for most homeowners: no — replacing a roof covering like-for-like falls under permitted development, and no planning application is needed. But the exceptions are real, and confusing planning permission with Building Regulations (a different regime that does apply) catches people out. Here's the map.
When planning permission is not needed
A straightforward re-roof in the same or visually similar materials, at the same height and profile, is permitted development on most houses. Swapping worn concrete tiles for new concrete tiles, or re-slating a slate roof — no application, no drama.
When it is — or might be
Conservation areas: material changes that alter appearance may need consent, and some conservation areas have Article 4 directions removing permitted development rights entirely — a call to the council costs nothing and settles it. Listed buildings: listed building consent is needed for practically any roof change, materials included, and the penalties for skipping it are criminal, not administrative. Raising the roof: anything that increases height or changes the shape — a steeper pitch, a dormer on the front elevation — moves out of permitted development. Flats and maisonettes don't enjoy householder permitted development rights at all.
Building Regulations — the one that always applies
Separately from planning: re-covering more than a modest area of roof is building work under the Building Regulations, which in practice means the renewed roof must meet current standards — notably thermal insulation and, where the new covering differs in weight, a structural check. This isn't a burden to fear: a competent roofer handles the notification and compliance as part of the job, and the paperwork matters when you sell the house. We do exactly that — see how we work.
The practical advice
Tell your roofer if the house is listed or in a conservation area (we ask anyway), keep the completion paperwork with your deeds, and treat any quote that proposes skipping Building Regulations as the red flag it is. For the rest of the replacement decision, start with what a new roof costs.