Planning permission is asking your local planning department for permission to carry out works on your property.

Planning permission generally covers external changes to the property, so often internal only work is not subject to planning.

Larger house extensions, e.g. double storey extensions or larger rear or side extensions normally require planning permission.

Some smaller extensions, garage conversions and certain loft conversions are sometimes exempt from planning permission and can be classed as permitted development. See our Permitted Development page.

Planning permission will either be approved and you can go ahead and start building or it will be rejected.

If rejected you can revise your proposal and try again to gain approval. Most local authorities publish residential design guidelines so this is a good place to start looking at what your local planning office might approve. Your local planning departments guidelines may be available on our website, go to our residential design guidelines page as a starting point.

Most of the work we do for clients requires planning permission of some kind.

If you are unsure don't chance it, call or email us to discuss your project and we can give you further advice.