My local council ( Runnymede) are asking £100 from me, to just find out if I actually need to seek planning permission or not and this seems very unreasonable to me! Does anyone know if I do need permission and if so, how exactly does the process work ? Do your neighbours get asked and do you have to put up a notice, like when you’re doing building work ?

http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/freeresources/Free%20downloads/Resources/Planning%20permission%20rules%20-%20England.pdf
This should answer your question. Never heard of anyone needing planning permission.

Some childminders do need planning permission - usually if they are doing something different from the norm eg 2 working together or a cm with staff and more than 6 children under the age of 8.

My link posted by Moggy above will hopefully explain in more detail.

I hope that helps :D