When you decide to extend your home, you’re likely envisioning how the extra space will transform your life. Perhaps it’s a bigger kitchen where the family gathers, a home office that allows you to work in peace, or a bright, open-plan living space to entertain friends. But before the building begins, there’s one crucial step that many homeowners find overwhelming: planning permission.
At Lintel, we understand that the planning process can feel like navigating a maze. That’s why we’ve made it our job to demystify it. In this guide, we’ll explain what’s required, identify common hurdles, and show you how we take the stress out of the process for our clients.
What Is Planning Permission, and Do You Really Need It?
Planning permission is a formal approval from your local planning authority (LPA) allowing you to carry out development work on your property. It ensures that the changes you’re making are appropriate for your area, won’t harm the environment, and won’t negatively impact your neighbours.
Not all extensions require planning permission. Some projects fall under Permitted Development Rights, which allow you to extend your home without formal approval. Some of these are:
- Rear Extensions: A single-storey extension can extend up to 3 metres beyond the original house for terraced or semi-detached properties or up to 4 metres for detached homes
- Within Certain Height Parameters: Side and rear extensions that do not exceed 4 metres in height
- Adhering to Land Use Rules: Extensions that do not cover more than half the area of land around the “original house” as it stood in 1948 (or when built, if later)
However, there are exceptions. If your property is listed, located in a conservation area, or you’re planning a large or multi-storey extension, you’ll need planning permission.
How Lintel Helps: We start with a face-to-face consultation in which we evaluate your project to determine whether it falls under permitted development or requires planning permission. If permission is needed, we guide you through every step.
Four Key Steps in the Planning Permission Process
1. Pre-Application Advice
Before submitting your application, it’s often worth seeking pre-application advice from your LPA. This is an informal discussion where a planning officer reviews your proposal and identifies potential challenges.
While this step isn’t mandatory, it can save you time and money in the long run by highlighting issues early on. For example, they might flag concerns about overlooking neighbours’ properties, design compatibility with the local area, or environmental factors like flood risk.
How Lintel Helps: We handle this on your behalf, presenting a clear, professional case to the council to maximise your chances of a smooth application process and save you time, money, and stress.
2. Preparing and Submitting the Application
Although every home build project is unique, a typical planning application includes several key components:
- Architectural Drawings: Detailed plans and elevations that show the proposed changes
- Site Layouts: A map indicating the location of your property and extension
- Design and Access Statement (if required): Explaining the rationale behind your design and how it complies with planning policies
- Supporting Documents: These could include ecological surveys, flood risk assessments, or heritage statements, if necessary
Application Fee: In England, a standard householder application costs £206
How Lintel Helps: The architects and surveyors we work with create precise, compliant drawings and compile all required documentation, ensuring your application is complete and professional.
3. The Consultation Period
Once your application is submitted, the council validates it and begins a 21-day consultation period. During this time, neighbours, local organisations, and other stakeholders are invited to comment on your plans.
Common objections during this stage include concerns about:
- Overshadowing or loss of light
- Privacy intrusion
- Noise during construction
How Lintel Helps: With decades of experience in the planning, design, and build business, our expertise allows us to anticipate these challenges and work proactively to address them. If concerns arise, we mediate with stakeholders to find solutions, such as adjusting designs to preserve privacy or light.
4. The Decision
The council aims to make a decision within eight weeks for most applications, although this may take longer depending on the complexity of the home build project. They’ll assess your plans against national and local planning policies, considering any objections.
There are three possible outcomes:
- Approval: Congratulations! You can move forward, provided you adhere to any conditions outlined in the approval
- Conditional Approval: You may need to make adjustments, such as using specific materials or addressing minor design elements
Refusal: If the council rejects your application, they’ll provide reasons, giving you the chance to revise and resubmit or appeal
How Lintel Helps: We track the progress of your application, keep you informed, and manage any required revisions or appeals.
Common Hurdles and How We Overcome Them
1. Neighbour Objections
Neighbours often worry about loss of privacy, light, or the disruption of construction.
How Lintel Helps: We recommend involving neighbours early in the process to explain your plans and address concerns. Our designs always take into consideration project length, noise, privacy, and light, reducing the likelihood of objections and keeping up good relations with the people you need to live next to.
2. Local Policy Conflicts
Councils have specific policies governing development, and non-compliance is a common reason for refusals.
How Lintel Helps: We’re familiar with local policies and help you tailor designs early to align with them, reducing the risk of rejection, saving time and money.
3. Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
In the UK, Planning permission for properties in sensitive areas often requires additional documentation and careful design to meet stricter regulations.
How Lintel Helps: We have experience working with heritage properties and conservation areas, ensuring designs respect the character of the site while meeting your needs.
What Happens If Your Application Is Refused?
A refusal can feel like a setback, but it’s not the end of the road. You have options:
- Revise and Resubmit: Address the council’s concerns and submit a revised application
Appeal: If you believe the refusal was unjust, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate
How Lintel Helps: We review the decision notice, identify solutions, and either refine the design or prepare a strong appeal. Our goal is to keep your project moving forward to create the home of your dreams.
The Lintel Approach to Planning Permission
At Lintel, we pride ourselves on taking the stress out of the planning permission process. Here’s how we do it:
- Holistic Support: From initial face-to-face consultations to final approvals, we manage every aspect of the process to make sure you and your home build project are supported every step of the way
- Clear Communication: We keep you informed and involved, so you’re never left wondering what’s next
- Proactive Problem Solving: We anticipate challenges and address them before they become obstacles, saving time and money in the long run
- Experienced Team: Our trusted architects, planners, and builders have the decades of expertise that allows us to navigate even the most complex applications
A Final Word
Planning permission doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right guidance, it’s simply a step on the path to creating your dream home. At Lintel, we’re here to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
So, if you’re ready to extend your home but unsure where to start, let’s sit down and talk. We’ll handle the details, so you can focus on the exciting part — bringing your dream living space to life.