What You Need to Know About Planning Permission

Are you planning on alterations to your home? Perhaps something as complex as a new conservatory or as simple as secondary glazing? It might be necessary to get planning permission. This guide gives a summary of how the process works.

1. Only Some Projects Require Planning Permission

Permitted development (PD) rights allow you to conduct particular building works in the absence of planning permission. Most houses have PD rights. On the other hand, maisonettes and flats do not have PD rights meaning you require planning permission to do construction work. If your dwelling is in a national park, an exceptional natural habitat or a conservation area your PD rights will be limited. Also, when your house is a listed building, this applies. It is important that you consult your local planning authority for guidance. Planning experts will inform you of any hindrances that will prevent your building work from commencing. In addition, they will tell you whether you require planning permission for all the work or just some section of it.

2. Local Authorities Can Offer Pre-Application Advice

If the building work you desire to undertake is not allowed under PD rights you must have a planning application. To gauge whether your application will be successful, share and discuss it with your local planning authority prior to making an official submission. The evaluation you receive will be non-binding but will be a credible benchmark on your plan’s likelihood of succeeding and whether you will require to make any adjustments before submitting it.

3. There are Various Types of Permission

The planning permission you require is determined by your object. For instance, an extension to a residential house will need a Householder Planning Permission whereas a listed building demands you apply for a Listed Building Consent. After ascertaining the kind of permission you require you can get the required forms from your local authority by either post or downloading them from their website.

4. You Will Be Required to Submit Plans to Accompany Your Application

A majority of planning requests need the presentation of two plans as supporting records. One is the location plan which highlights the site plus its environs. The second is a site plan detailing the proposed development. In addition to submitting the supporting documents, you will be required to pay an application fee. The fee will be based on the kind of development you are proposing. For instance, applying for Householder Planning Permission in England has a fee of £172.

5. The Decision Process Takes Time

After submitting your application, your local planning department sets to work confirming if they have all the details they require. They will contact you if some information is missing. Normal planning applications take a maximum of eight weeks, but larger and more complex ones can be decided in 13 weeks. In this period, neighbours who will be affected by your building works can examine your plans and give feedback. You can contact your local planning department to view their responses.

6. Key Considerations

Your local planning authority will consider different substantial factors when deliberating on whether to give planning application. Some of these factors are: noise, traffic, loss of privacy, overshadowing, minimising natural light, highway safety and parking. The planning department will also consider the issues raised by the neighbours, although grievances concerning adverse effects on surrounding property values or loss of view are irrelevant in planning.

7. There May be Conditions

On approval of your plan, pay attention to any stipulations that are attached. An example may be that you must acquire specific permissions for certain features of the development, like the materials to utilise, before commencing on construction. The authority must provide explanations for the specific requirements.

8. You Can Lodge an Appeal if Your Application is Rejected

You can contact your local planning department if your application is disallowed or is approved with certain preconditions that you are not satisfied with. You will have to amend your application and resubmit it. Normally, this does not have any additional costs. On the Planning Portal service, adjust your application and resubmit it.