Are you planning to make substantial changes to your house? Well, in most places, you are going to need planning permission and in this post, we are going to discuss a few important things that you need to know.
There are Various Types of Permission
The kind of planning permission required depends on the type of project. If it is a residential extension, for example, you will need to apply for Householder Planning Permission. If your house is a listed building, you will need Listed Building Consent. Once you know what type of permission is required, you can apply either through the Planning Portal site or via post, also take into consideration a noise survey, to extinguish any possible complaints
Not all Projects Require Planning Permission
Permission development or PD rights mean that you can proceed with some types of construction work without planning permission. Maisonettes and flats do not have permission development rights and so, you cannot do any building work without planning permission. Most houses, on the other hand, do have PD rights. However, if you reside in a national park or a conservation area, then your permission development rights will be limited. The same applies if your property is a listed building.
Before embarking on major renovations or construction projects, it is important to contact the local planning authority for advice. The planning experts will be able to tell you about anything that may hinder your project and let you know if you will need to apply for permission in order to proceed.
The Local Authorities Offer Pre-application Advice
If your project is not covered by planning development, you will need to make a planning application. It is advisable to discuss the application with the local planning authority before submitting it so that you can know whether it has a shot of approval. The feedback you will receive is non-binding, but it will give you an idea of what to expect and whether you should tweak it before submitting.
You Need to Submit Plans as Part of the Permission Application
Most applications require you to submit at least two plans as supporting documents, this will enable you to carry on in regards to seeking planning permission. The first is the location plan, which indicates the physical location, as well as the surrounding area and the second, is the site plan, which displays the development proposal in detail.
In addition to this, you will need to pay a fee for the application and the amount will depend on the kind of development you are planning. For example, applying for Householder Planning Permission in England costs around £170
The Decision Process Takes Time
The local planning authority department has to check whether your proposal has all the information required and will let you know if something is missing.
Most applications are decided within two months, but if the application is complex or large, it may take up to 3 months.
Important Considerations
The local planning authority is going to consider several ”material considerations” when making a decision on your application. These include overshadowing or loss of light, loss of privacy, traffic, noise, parking, and highway safety. They will ideally look at the concerns of your neighbours, even though the negative effects on value and loss of view aren’t relevant to planning.
There are Numerous Conditions
If your plan application is approved, ensure you adhere to the conditions attached. For instance, you may have to get specific approval aspects of your project like materials to be used. The authority usually gives reasons for these conditions. You must adhere to all reasons and make changes where possible to enable your work to continue.
If Your Plan Application is Rejected, You Can Appeal
If the application has been rejected or accepted with conditions that you find unreasonable, you can speak to the local planning authority about the issue. You can submit an amended application and this is usually done with additional costs. In order to amend and resubmit the application, you should use the Planning Portal Service.
These are the most important things to keep in mind when it comes to planning permission.