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How to get planning permission
According to a recent Survey, 27% of homeowners said getting planning permission for their house extension was a major obstacle to getting home renovations done. So how do you ensure problems with planning permission don’t put a stop to your plans?
Unless you already have a local architect designing and submitting your plans, and one with a track record of obtaining house extension planning permission in your area, a good planning consultant can be helpful in determining local planning restrictions, targets and preferences to ensure your project is tailored accordingly. They can help you to get planning permission.
An architect will often assist with drawing up plans and with the planning permission process. They may suggest you start with an informal meeting with your local planning authority (LPA) before you submit an application. Some local planning authorities charge for this service. A pre-planning application meeting helps you understand any concerns the LPA might have and gives them a heads up that your planning application is on the way.
Ahead of the LPA meeting, you will need to have proposals and plans of what you want to do. Be ready to describe your proposals and if possible show the LPA designs – with current floor plans and elevations and the proposed changes.
According to the Planning Portal it’s a good idea at this meeting to:
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Ask for an assessment of whether there is a reasonable chance of getting planning permission.
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Discuss site problems such as roads, footpaths, power cables, watercourses, sewers and telephone lines.
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Ask about potential problems such as noise and traffic, and whether the council might impose conditions to overcome these problems rather than refuse planning permission.
Planning application drawings
A key point in the process of getting planning permission is creating your design drawings. Whether it’s a small straightforward single storey extension on the back of your house, or something more ambitious, you will need a set of accurate floor plans for your designs and elevations (which show the vertical view of your design internally and externally).
These drawings need to be to scale and demonstrate how your project is in keeping with its surroundings. You can do the design drawings yourself or use a local architect’s firm that specialises in obtaining planning permission. Use our free tool to find local architects and architectural technicians who can assist with drawings for your planning application.
As well as your designs, you are likely to need technical drawings in order to get building regulations approval (see below) and for your builder. These provide in depth plans for each element of your project and materials that should be used. A structural engineer can look at your existing and proposed plans and advise on the building materials required and whether any reinforcements are needed and if so where. They can also produce the technical drawings you will need.
Applying for planning permission
When you’re ready, you can submit your plans for approval online. Most planning applications are submitted online. You can apply to every local authority in England through the Planning Portal or submit an application to an authority in Wales using your Planning Portal login details by visiting Planning Applications Wales.
After you’ve applied for planning permission
Once you’ve contacted your local planning authority (LPA) and applied via the Planning Portal website, the LPA will decide whether to grant planning permission for your project based on its local planning rules and development plan for the local area. Obtaining planning permission for an extension should be straight forward if you have followed local planning guidance.
How long does it take to get planning permission?
In most cases, planning applications are decided within 8 weeks but they can take up to 13 weeks. If the decision takes longer, you can appeal. And if you are refused permission you may want to appeal. Read our guide on what to do if planning permission is refused.
