Are you planning to make significant changes to your home? If you are, then you might need planning permission. Here is what you need to know about home renovations and planning permissions.
Not All Home Projects Require Planning Permission
Permitted development rights mean that you can do some types of building work without having to get planning permission. Maisonettes and flats, however, do not have permitted development rights (which mean that you cannot do any construction work without having planning permission) but most single unit houses do. At the same time, if you live in a conservation area, an area of outstanding natural beauty, or a national park, your permitted development rights are restricted too. The same applies to you if your home is a listed building.
You could always contact a local planning authority for advice or offer floorplan software for estate agents. A planning expert can tell you about things that could hinder your project from moving forward from a planning point of view and can be of great use when it comes to letting you know if you should apply for permission for all work or just portions of it.
Local Authorities Can Offer Great Pre-Application Advice
If the work you are planning on doing is not covered by permitted development, you will have to make a planning application. Before officially applying, it is advisable that you discuss your application with a local planning authority for a better shot at success. The feedback you will get is non-binding and will give you a better indication of your application’s chances of success or if you need to make some amendments before submitting it.
There Are Many Types of Permission
The project at hand will determine the planning permission type you need. For instance, for residential extensions, you will have to apply for something known as Householder Planning Permission. Listed buildings, on the other hand, require a Listed Building Consent. Understanding the type of permission, you need will make it easier to decide which platform you will use to apply for one. Either you could apply online via the Planning Portal’s official website or via post, (you’ll have to download the application form for a local authority’s site first.)
You, Will, Have To Submit Your Plans As Part of the Application
Most applications require that you submit two plans as supporting documents: a site plan – this shows the proposed development in detail, and a location plan – this show the site and its position within the surrounding area.
Apart from submitting documentation, you will have to pay an application fee depending on the type of development you are planning. For instance, in England, it will cost you £172 to apply for Householder Planning Permission.
Decision Making Takes Time
After submitting your application, the planning department at your local planning authority will check it to see if it contains all the needed information. This will allow you to know if anything is amiss.
Planning applications are generally decided within eight weeks; however, if they are unusually complex or large, they can take even up to 13 weeks. During this period, neighbours that might be affected by your project can view and comment about the plans. To see their responses, contact your local planning authority.
Key Considerations
When deciding whether to grant you a planning application, your local planning authority will consider a couple of ‘material considerations’.
That includes overshadowing or loss of light, privacy, traffic, noise, parking, and highway safety.
The planning authority will also consider your neighbour’s concerns. However, complaints about the adverse effects on the value of adjacent properties or loss of view aren’t relevant to planning.
There Might Be Some Conditions
If your plan is approved, ensure that you take note of any conditions that might be attached. For instance, you might need to get specific approval aspects of the development like materials to be used before work can commence. The local authority will give reasons for these conditions.
You Can Appeal the Decision If Your Application is rejected
If your application is denied or has been approved but with conditions that you are not happy with, you can contact your local planning authority and contest their decision. You can submit an amended version of your application – and that is often done at no extra cost. To do this, consider using the Planning Portal service to adjust and re-submit your request.