Trimble Architects

What is planning permission? This article explores when  you need planning permission and the different types of planning permission.

Planning Permission is purely the legal route that one has to undertake to proceed with specific forms of building work in their town or city. In going through this process, you may be granted permission by your local council or refused based on many criteria under the National Planning Policy Framework and Environmental Agency.

Parliament gave the primary responsibility of granting permission to all local planning authorities in local councils across the UK.

For those with any queries or confusion about specific aspects of their building project, such as which form of planning permission their project requires or whether planning permission is necessary for their build, it is best to contact your local authorities and ask. 

It is your responsibility to seek out planning permission before beginning your construction project, or you may face enforcement notices that force you to undo all progress you have made, even if your project has reached completion. Without knowing, your building ideas could go against the requirements, and if you visit your local planning authority, they will be able to provide the agreements or objections you need. 

Planning departments may even offer all the changes and professional advice to improve your project, making it more compliant for gaining consent. 

WHAT IF A PLANNING APPLICATION IS REFUSED?

There are many building styles that you can begin without the need for any planning permission. For example, you can execute any minor changes, improvements or additions you wish to make to your home through Permitted Development. 

Permitted development is a form of implied consent given by authorities to builds that meet specific requirements. It is paramount that your design plan fits into these particular restrictions to qualify as permitted development by planning consultants.

When it comes to architectural planning permission, many different types are available for customers. Each style suits specific builds or particular projects. It's best to have a vague understanding of each type to know what you require to achieve permission for your building project. 

Full planning permission

This form of planning permission offers builders complete planning consent for their project to go ahead based purely on detailed architectural designs they have provided alongside the necessary documents. 

For approval to be valid during this stage, you must present the project and all arrangements to your local authorities or council to comply with the set planning conditions. 

Before carrying out work on your chosen plot, all conditions must be formally discharged and approved with a letter from your local council's planning committee. 

Outline planning permission

This type of permission tend not to involve the design specifics; however, it provides more approval in principle. 

Outlines don't necessarily offer consent to proceed to the building stage; however, it is an agreement that authorities utilise to explore your desired project further, so assess whether your project is viable for the location plan. Before work can occur, the council may present you with an application process for reserved matters. 

These involve aspects of your build such as the position, size, duration, materials, access and landscaping; these will need to be submitted before you can begin. 

Suppose your detailed plans suddenly deviate from the due or start date or are unclear. In that case, they'll push you to submit documents and drawings for full planning so that professionals can get a clear understanding of your vision. 

Householder planning permission

This form of consent is given to those that wish to extend or make minor alterations to their current home or a pre-existing house within a specific property boundary. 

Making retrospective planning applications can be a relatively risky business; it gradually becomes more dangerous the less you wish to spend as it is not the cheapest agreement to acquire. 

Correct technical information and precise survey drawings from professional architects never come cheap; however, they are a prerequisite for receiving permission and finally getting to build your desired buildings. 

The cost of submitting planning applications and proposals to your local council or authorities can widely vary up and down the UK; however, these are the current applicable fees:

A complete application for an outline planning permission or a new single dwelling in England and Wales per 0.1 hectares will cost approximately £462. 

In England: £202-£206 is the cost of a standard householder application in England. 

In Wales: However, in Wales, a householder application may cost £230.

In Scotland: A full application for planning permission or a new single dwelling per 0.1 hectares costs £401.

It is vital to pay the correct fees involved as this may help secure planning permission in the long run. You can also apply online for planning permission to receive your ownership certificate. It's worth noting that whilst it may be costly to do so, you can submit more than one application and can apply an infinite number of times. 

You can resubmit for free within the first 12 months of your initial submission; however, any requests afterwards will cost. 

It is essential to ask yourself whether or not you need planning permission to proceed with your building project. For those with projects involving the creation of a brand new self-build or subdividing pre-existing houses, you will likely require planning permission to begin building legally. 

When you intend on building household extensions, house improvements or large outbuildings in specifically designated areas or graded/listed buildings, these also require planning permission. 

Applying for planning permission is essential for most public and private land projects. To apply for planning permission and begin the designing and building stage, you'll want to start by contacting your LPA (Lasting Power of Attorney). To get to your LPA, you can contact your local council members.

If your specific project requires planning permission, yet you choose to ignore this factor and do the building work regardless, you will receive an enforcement notice. The enforcement notice is typically an order to undo any building or major changes you have made, persisting that you ask for permission before going ahead with your project.