Planning Permission

Do I Need Planning Permission?

Current legislation dictates that in the majority of cases you can extend the original footprint of the home without requesting planning permission.
Full details can be found here

In our case, as the ground floor had already been extended by the previous owners, and because we were extending to the side and rear up to the 1st floor, we would have to submit a planning application.

The application itself is submitted electronically via the Government's Planning Portal and fees vary depending on the type of application you are making.
In our case it was a Householder Application which costs £172.00

The Planning Office

Once the application has been received and registered with the local authority's planning office, you are then informed of the Planning Officer handling your application who will then contact you to arrange a site inspection of the property. It's at this point that you are advised to present as much additional documentation in support of your application as possible. This could include but is not limited to:

• Letters of support from neighbours
• Support from the Parish Council Planning Committee
• Complete drawings of the proposed extension including front, rear and side elevations
• Samples of building materials to be used

The borough council's planning office usually have a 14 day consultation period in which to deliberate, taking into consideration any objections from neighbours or businesses directly affected by your proposed works and of course the decision of the local Parish Council's Planning Committee. During this period you will have the opportunity to put your case before the Parish Council.

The Parish Council

As we live in a relatively small village, it is the job of the Parish Council's Planning Committee to receive notification of planning applications from the Borough Council's Planning office and ensure that any applications to build, amend or demolish exisiting residential or commercial property would not be detrimental to its surroundings.
Although they can approve or reject an application for planning, this can be overruled by the Borough Council's Planning Office.
You are also given the opportunity to put your case forward before the Parish Council's Planning Committee during one of their monthly meetings, so that they are fully aware of your plans, although you are not permitted to enter into any debate with any of the committee members. Based on your application, they will then vote on whether to approve or reject the application.