Chat with a planning consultant

One of the first steps to take is to work with a professional planning consultant and see what comments and recommendations they make about the project you are planning. This will help you decide if it is feasible or if you are going to run into problems. This will include looking at the design plans, the plot if you are building an entirely new building and also any conditions put down by the local authority. Some types of property will also need a specialist to consult – listed buildings are one that has their own rules

Look at design priorities

When a plan first starts for a building, you need to have design priorities. These help you consider the size and scale of the building and also to find out what elements are the most important and what you could compromise on if there is a need. Planning permission may not be granted for all the aspects of your initial design, so it helps to see what you can amend or compromise on to get the project to move forward

Get a professional to make the application

Applying for planning permission is a slightly complex process and that’s why it can be advisable to get a professional involved to help you with the process. A planning adviser can actually make the entire application for you and this can save time and amendments. That’s because they will have ideas about the local authority regulations and how to overcome any problems that may surface

Try a pre-application

Before jumping in with a full application, the best place to start could be with a pre-application. If you consult with the local authority planning department and make a pre-application, you can find out potential problems at an early stage. This is a particularly useful step if you plan to build a house from new or are in a sensitive area such as a Conservation Area where extra rules will apply to normal applications

Remember the right to appeal

A ‘no’ to your application doesn’t have to be the death of the project. You do have a right to appeal and can also submit an amended proposal that handles any concerns detailed in the original application. You can do this within 12 months of receiving the decision without there being any additional costs from the local authority as long as the principle of the proposal hasn’t altered.

What can you do without planning permission?

If you are looking to amend an existing building or add an extension, there is a number of things you can do without the need for planning permission. Some of the examples of projects that fall under Permitted Development include adding a single storey extension, an oak framed extension such as a conservatory, garden room or orangery and changing the use of integral garages.

It is worth noting that whatever you do, even if it falls under Permitted Development, it never hurts to check out with the local authority to make sure that the work is okay. This is especially true in conservation areas, with listed buildings or other special areas where the normal rules of Permitted Development might not always apply.